Eight months and $2 million in repairs and upgrades later, the city’s computer system is back up and running at full speed, city officials said.
A ransomware attack in late April damaged about 40% of the city’s 471 servers and about 20% of the city’s 5,000 desktop and laptop computers.
Michael Dellinger, the city’s chief information officer, said the $2 million was spent on one-time expenses such as software and licensing.
“We did some upgrades, made sure that everything was on the latest version,” Dellinger said. “It is not often that you upgrade versions, but we decided to go ahead and upgrade a lot of things during this process.”
Going forward, the city will spend about $300,000 a year more on cloud services, maintenance and other expenses related to operating the upgraded computer system, Dellinger said.
People are also reading…
“While $2 million is not change, it is nothing compared to a potential ransom that would be asked for,” Dellinger said, adding that paying a ransom is no guarantee a computer system will be turned back over undamaged.
Tulsans now have complete internet access to all city services. The only computer systems that remain down are internal development and testing systems.
“Development is basically when we are creating new features or functions for the public or even our internal users,” Dellinger said. “We will actually do that within the development systems so it doesn’t affect production.”
Some of the city’s tech troubles have been out of its control. The third-party time-keeping program it uses was recently hacked, leaving employees to record their hours manually.
The Tulsa World reported in July that the hackers behind the ransomware attack were likely associated with a group known as Conti, according to cybersecurity experts.
The city declined to comment on the report.
The FBI’s Cyber Division issued an advisory in May warning of Conti’s reach in the United States.
At the time, the FBI had identified at least 16 Conti ransomware attacks targeting health care and first-responder networks within the last year, including law enforcement and municipalities, according to the advisory.
Staff Writer Kevin Canfield’s most memorable stories of 2021
Tulsans remember the long, colorful and consequential life of Herb Beattie
This was a “favorite” story of mine only because it was a final opportunity to give a city treasure his due. Herb Beattie was a man who worked tirelessly to make Tulsa better, and he wasn’t afraid to ruffle a few feathers along the way. And yet, when he passed away, he was showered with praise by those same people with whom he had butted heads. That’s a life well lived, and I was glad to be able to share it.
With water shutoff looming, Vista Shadow Mountain Apartments tenants searching for answers
Of course, there was nothing enjoyable about writing this story. But it was a story that needed to be told. It was a good reminder that we live in a large city where some people are struggling and some people - including local public officials - are doing what they can to help them. It’s easy to get cynical about politics, but this was an instance where public officials saw a problem and worked to correct it.
Completed Greenwood Rising exhibit now awaits to be filled with stories
I jumped at the opportunity to talk to the guy who was responsible for telling the story of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. Of course, Jake Barton, principal and founder of Local Projects, wouldn’t describe himself as such. And he would be right. But Barton’s company - along with a firm called 1220 - did design, produce and install the exhibits at Greenwood Rising History Center. Hearing how accomplished that was fascinating.
Clark Brewster finds himself in the middle of horse racing's biggest controversy
Anytime you can write a story that involves the Kentucky Derby, scandal and local attorney Clark Brewster, you jump at it. Brewster, a long-time racehorse owner, represented the owner of the horse that won the Kentucky Derby. When Medina Spirit failed a post-race drug test, Brewster’s job was to make sure he retained the title. So he was glad to call back when I texted him for a comment.
Is it art, or is it a sign? Giant chef's knife creates stir in upscale Tulsa neighborhood
This was a fun story to write. Tim Inman, owner and chef at Stonehorse Cafe, thought it would be cool to put a stainless steel knife’s sculpture in his front yard. And to be fair, most people I spoke with in the neighborhood weren’t bothered by it. But one man was, so he filed a complaint with the city. Inspectors came out, lawyers got involved. All for a piece of art. Or was it a sign?
Mayor G.T. Bynum's 'GT PAC' has some city councilors wondering what he's up to, and what's his beef
This story is really just beginning.
<&underline>Mayor Bynum said he supported the creation of the PAC</&underline>as a way to help ensure that his priorities for the city continue to be pursued long after he leaves office. Political action committees are commonplace, but this one irked—or at a minimum, confused—some sitting city councilors who were concerned the mayor’s involvement in city council races could affect their effectiveness to do the city’s work.
