State Minister of Technology, Kanaka Herath, has taken a decisive step today by officially requesting an investigation into a cyber attack that transpired on the 26th of August 2023.
The Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) and the Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT) have been entrusted with the task of uncovering the details of this security breach.
The cyber attack, which targeted email systems under the 'gov.
lk' domain, resulted in substantial data loss and disruption of communication within various state offices. ICTA disclosed that this incident was a significant ransomware attack that took place on the 26th of August, affecting multiple government institutions.
In response to this incident, Minister Herath has called for the preparation of a comprehensive report to be submitted within a strict timeframe of two weeks.
This report is expected to encompass the following critical details:
Impacted Emails: A thorough account of all email accounts affected by the cyber attack, shedding light on the extent of the breach and its ramifications for intra-governmental communication.
Government Data Loss: An assessment of the extent of data loss incurred by government agencies as a result of the attack, with a focus on understanding the potential consequences for national security and public services.
Value of Data Loss: An estimation of the financial value associated with the data loss, considering costs related to data recovery, cybersecurity enhancements, and the impact on government operations.
Preventative Measures: A comprehensive overview of the actions already taken to prevent future cyber attacks of a similar nature.