Rhode Island's Online Benefits System Shuts Down After Cyberattack.
Programs like Medicaid, SNAP, and others will be affected.
Rhode Island has decided to deactivate its RIBridges system, used for applying for public assistance programs such as Medicaid, following a cyberattack that may have compromised the personal information of hundreds of thousands of people. This shutdown of the system means that Rhode Island residents will not be able to access the RIBridges website or application, platforms that allow users to manage applications for Medicaid, food stamps, and other state benefits, according to updates provided by the government regarding the data breach.
Governor Dan McKee commented at a press conference that the attackers may have acquired personal data, such as names, addresses, and Social Security numbers, from individuals who have used RIBridges since 2019 to date. Brian Tardiff, who serves as the Chief Digital Officer and Chief Information Officer for the state, also spoke at the conference, clarifying that the attack is not related to ransomware, but rather an extortion activity by a group of cybercriminals.
Furthermore, the attack had repercussions for HealthSource RI, Rhode Island's health care marketplace. State authorities are working to restore the system before the end of the open enrollment period for health care on January 31. In the meantime, paper applications and guides on how to use them have been made available on the state Department of Human Services website. According to the breach update, the state will publish a hotline number for assistance to affected individuals, available from 11 AM to 8 PM ET on Sunday and from 9 AM to 9 PM ET Monday through Friday. It is also expected that the Rhode Island government will send instructions for free credit monitoring to the individuals affected.