Rock County, WI Breach

Rock County is located in south Wisconsin and contains Janesville, Milton, Evansville, and pieces of Edgerton and Beloit. The region is a spacious metropolitan area of over 726 square miles and hosts a population of over 165,000. The County was recently the victim of a cyberattack, exposing the information of over 25,000 residents.

What Was the Breach?

• Full Name
• Social Security Number
• Demographic Information
• Driver’s License Number
• Medical Information (Diagnosis and Treatment Data)
• Health Insurance Information
• Financial Account Information

How Did the Breach Occur?

The County’s breach involved an unauthorized actor gaining access to specific internal systems; the bad actors were purportedly able to encrypt these systems, pointing to a malware attack. It is unclear how the assailants made the incident possible and to what extent they gained access.

When Did This Breach Occur?

According to the Notice of Incident published on the Rock County website, the attack happened on or around September 22nd and lasted until September 30th. On or around September 29th, officials became aware of the attack and began continuity procedures. The County’s investigations are ongoing.

Who Does the Breach Impact?

This cyber incident will likely impact residents, although those beyond the County may also have data in danger. The published notices do not clarify the groups potentially impacted by the event; subsequently, all those associated with the County may have information at risk for misuse.

How Many Files Does the Breach Affect?

The filing published on the Maine Attorney General’s Office website suggests 25,823 individuals may have had data exposed during the event. The impact figure may further increase as investigations conclude. Those involved with the breach must invest in data security solutions to mitigate the consequences of data misuse.