Seattle Public Library System Details

    Organization Logo

    Seattle Public Library System

    Seattle, Washington • 700 employees • Public Administration

    Industry

    Public Administration

    Security Incidents

    1

    The Seattle Public Library is a public library system that serves the residents of Seattle, Washington and surrounding areas. With its Central Library and 26 branch locations, it provides access to a vast collection of books, media, online resources, and programs aimed at promoting literacy and learning. As a vital community resource, the Seattle Public Library plays a crucial role in fostering knowledge, exploration, and personal growth for people of all ages and backgrounds.

    Security Incidents

    Seattle Public Library System Breach of May 2024
    Severity Score
    Low to Moderate

    Type

    Ransomware Attack

    Summary

    The Seattle Public Library was hit by a ransomware attack over the Memorial Day weekend that impacted all of its online services like the website, digital catalogs, e-books, and WiFi. The attack was identified on May 25th, just before planned server maintenance. While physical library locations remain open, the library cannot currently check materials back into the catalog system. The library is working to restore digital services like e-books and has its website back online, but apologized that wait times will be impacted due to the backlog. The library is investigating the attack with cybers...
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    Severity

    The ransomware attack on the Seattle Public Library system was a major breach that crippled all of the library's online services and digital resources. Key impacts included the online catalog being down, inability to check out or return materials digitally, and public computers, WiFi, and website being offline. While physical library locations remained open, the breach severely disrupted normal operations and services for patrons across Seattle's 27 library locations.

    Impact

    The ransomware attack on the Seattle Public Library system affected patrons across the city of Seattle and surrounding areas that the library serves. With 27 branch locations unable to perform digital checkouts and returns or access online resources, countless students, professionals, families, and community members lost access to vital library services. The breach disrupted library operations for Seattle's entire population of over 700,000 residents who depend on the public library system.

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