An apparent cyberattack struck the New York State Legislature\u2019s computer infrastructure overnight Tuesday, slowing progress on state budget negotiations that are already weeks overdue and forcing the state to move to a 20th-century backup system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gov. Kathy Hocul (D) said Wednesday that the cyberattack was discovered in the early hours of Wednesday, sparking a quick response from state cybersecurity officials. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The exact cause or motivation for the attack is unknown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The legislature\u2019s bill drafting office \u2014 those responsible for finalizing the text of the state budget \u2014 was the worst hit, Gothamist reported<\/u><\/a>. State legislators are already 17 days late on the state budget, which expired at the end of March.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In response to the attack, the bill drafting office is relying on an outdated computer filing system from 1994, which was replaced over 20 years ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOur understanding right now is that it will take a little bit longer to deal with the legislative side of it because a lot of data is included in the computers,\u201d Hochul said of the budget process in a WNYC radio appearance with Brian Lehrer on Wednesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hochul announced Monday that lawmakers had reached a deal<\/u><\/a> on a $237 billion spending plan, which was expected to move forward this week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lawmakers have shown optimism that the cyberattack should not delay the budget process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNothing is delayed,\u201d state Senate Democrats spokesman Mike Whyland said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cyberattacks have been a focus of Washington in recent months, as members of Congress worry about the rising popularity and potential risks to companies and governments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Biden administration sent out a special warning<\/u><\/a> for state water and wastewater systems last month, warning that critical infrastructure could be a target for attack. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Senate Finance Committee is also expected to hold a hearing<\/u><\/a> on Change Healthcare cyberattack in the coming weeks, reflecting on an attack that froze healthcare payments nationwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n