LA housing authority admits data breach following ransomware attack

Lock on Laptop Screen
(Image credit: Shutterstock.com) (Image credit: Future)

The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) has suffered its second ransomware attack in as many years.

Threat actors known as Cactus added HACLA to its data leak website, claiming to have stolen 891 GB of files from the organization.

The archives reportedly include, "personal Identifiable Information, actual database backups, financial documents, executives\employees personal data, customer personal information, corporate confidential data and correspondence.”

No details

A small sample was posted as proof of the claims, and soon after, HACLA confirmed the news to BleepingComputer, saying it was currently investigating the incident.

"We've been affected by an attack on our IT network. As soon as we became aware of this, we hired external forensic IT specialists to help us investigate and respond appropriately," a HACLA spokesperson told the publication.

"Our systems remain operational, we're taking expert advice, and we remain committed to delivering important services for low income and vulnerable people in Los Angeles."

The company did not share additional details, therefore we don’t know exactly when the breach happened, how the crooks gained access to the network, or if the information about stolen data is accurate. Furthermore, we don’t know who is affected by the breach, and if the stolen data belonged to employees, business partners, or end users.

HACLA is a public agency that provides affordable housing options and supportive services to low-income residents in Los Angeles, as well as families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities who need this type of assistance. It manages public housing, Section 8 vouchers, and various housing programs aimed at addressing homelessness and promoting community stability.

Cactus is a known ransomware group that first emerged almost two years ago. So far, it has breached more than 250 companies, but has been keeping a relatively low profile lately.

Via BleepingComputer

More from TechRadar Pro

Sead is a seasoned freelance journalist based in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. He writes about IT (cloud, IoT, 5G, VPN) and cybersecurity (ransomware, data breaches, laws and regulations). In his career, spanning more than a decade, he’s written for numerous media outlets, including Al Jazeera Balkans. He’s also held several modules on content writing for Represent Communications.

Read more
security
Ransomware gangs allegedly hit two major US healthcare firms, 300,000 patients have data stolen
Ransomware
Top cannabis brand Stiiizy says hackers got access to its systems
ID theft
Over a million patients potentially hit after another US healthcare provider hit by cyberattack
A digital themed isometric showing a neon padlock in the foreground, and a technological diagram of a processor logic board in the background.
MetLife denies hack after ransomware group claims attack
A stylized depiction of a padlocked WiFi symbol sitting in the centre of an interlocking vault.
59 organizations reportedly victim to breaches caused by Cleo software bug
ransomware avast
The biggest addiction treatment provider in the US says it was hit by data breach
Latest in Security
Isometric demonstrating multi-factor authentication using a mobile device.
NCSC gets influencers to sing the praises of 2FA
Sam Altman and OpenAI
OpenAI is upping its bug bounty rewards as security worries rise
A stylized depiction of a padlocked WiFi symbol sitting in the centre of an interlocking vault.
Dangerous new CoffeeLoader malware executes on your GPU to get past security tools
China
Notorious Chinese hackers FamousSparrow allegedly target US financial firms
A digital representation of a lock
NYU website defaced as hacker leaks info on a million students
NHS
NHS IT supplier hit with major fine following ransomware attack
Latest in News
Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Con up-close from app store
Nintendo's new app gave us another look at the Switch 2, and there's something different with the Joy-Con
cheap Nintendo Switch game deals sales
Nintendo didn't anticipate that Mario Kart 8 Deluxe was 'going to be the juggernaut' for the Nintendo Switch when it was ported to the console, according to former employees
Three angles of the Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M4 laptop above a desk
Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) review roundup – should you buy Apple's new lightweight laptop?
Witchbrook
Witchbrook, the life-sim I've been waiting years for, finally has a release window and it's sooner than you think
Amazon Echo Smart Speaker
Amazon is experimenting with renaming Echo speakers to Alexa speakers, and it's about time
Shigeru Miyamoto presents Nintendo Today app
Nintendo Today smartphone app is out now on iOS and Android devices – and here's what it does