GEBE has been closed at both locations for two weeks already following a ransomware hit. Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure Egbert Doran at Wednesday’s press briefing said he and Finance Minister Ardwell Irion had met with management, support staff and the company decrypting data due to what happened (see Thursday paper), but – considering the sensitivity of this matter – very little else other than that they were “working diligently” to solve the issue.
He suggested customers in the meantime make payments via online banking, adding that “you will have to ensure that your contract account number is included.” However, one can understand if some might be hesitant to do so, especially because the utilities provider had urged not to open any of its emails or attachments at the time of the incident.
The reality also remains that many people continue to pay the old-fashioned way and getting everybody to do so electronically will take a while. Lines often still visible outside the two buildings during office hours before their doors were shut confirm this.
The government-owned company on Thursday issued a release (see related story) stating that they are in an “investigation and response” phase regarding the “BackByte” cyberattack. Management assured that the water and electricity distribution network had not been affected.
Probably what most want to hear though is that – under the current circumstances – their power won’t be cut until they have been given a reasonable chance to go and settle the bill. In addition, contingency plans should be drawn up and clearly communicated for the eventual reopening to prevent excessive crowding and possible chaos, whereby lessons learned at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic including use of an alphabetical system could prove useful.
After all, failing to prepare is preparing to fail.
