Security News > 2021 > September > Ransomware encrypts South Africa's entire Dept of Justice network
The justice ministry of the South African government is working on restoring its operations after a recent ransomware attack encrypted all its systems, making all electronic services unavailable both internally and to the public.
As a consequence of the attack, the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development said that child maintenance payments are now on hold until systems are back online.
As a result, all electronic services provided by the department are affected, including the issuing of letters of authority, bail services, e-mail and the departmental website" - Steve Mahlangu, spokesperson for the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development.
The ransomware attack impacted monthly child maintenance payments, which have been delayed until the systems are restored.
"While the department is not able to determine the exact date when the required systems will be restored, it will ensure all child maintenance money is kept secure for payment to the rightful beneficiaries when the systems are back online" - Steve Mahlangu.
Mahlangu said last week that the Department's IT experts have found "No indication of data compromise." Until now, the attack has not been claimed by any of the gangs with a data leak site.