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This was a case of an insider threat, she confirmed, as reported by the Longview News-Journal.
The breach involved a known person installing remote access and network mapping software on the mayor pro tem’s office computer. She said the incident took place April 1, and the city has a recording of it as it happened. An investigation is underway.
City Hall shut down its computers with operations still offline at noon Wednesday, Rushing confirmed. This included taking utility payments and the city secretary’s office offline, among other impacts.
Hawkins is in East Texas and has about 1,275 residents. Industry Navigator* has reported the overall budget as about half a million dollars.
Rushing also confirmed details reported in the Longview News-Journal, which offered an in-depth look at who is involved: An alderman’s son who had been considered to do cyber work for the city but had been denied a contract by the City Council.
A cybersecurity team and a cybersecurity attorney are investigating, and the Texas Rangers are involved. The mayor said the incident will be reported to the Secretary of State.
*Industry Navigator is a product of e.Republic, Industry Insider — Texas’ parent company.
