Dealing with GEBE has hardly been a pleasure for many since it suffered a ransomware attack in March 2022. According to the latest information (see related story), the subsequent entering of customer data had to be redone to some extent because of varying formats, which means the recovery is only 75% so far.
As if the latter isn’t bad enough, there was recently another cyber scare prompting a closure of several days. According to Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs, she was told by the utilities provider that no data had been lost due to the necessary precautionary ICT measures taken following the first incident 18 months ago.
At this point one can’t help but sympathise with the government-owned company and its personnel. That’s even more the case after several water metres were broken in what appears to be case of senseless vandalism.
Filing a report with the authorities as stated in today’s newspaper is a no-brainer. Angry clients possibly cut off due to non-payment and disgruntled former employees or contractors would be among likely suspects.
Whatever the motive, those responsible should know they will be pursued and prosecuted to the full extent of the law, never mind having to compensate the damage.
As stated, the public can help prevent GEBE from running into financial problems by continuing to pay their usual monthly amount “on account” even without a valid bill, at least if they want to keep receiving service and avoid disconnection. At the end of the day nobody can change what already happened.
