Digital Minister: Probe into cyberattack on AG's office near completion

DIGITAL Transformation Minister Hassel Bacchus says the threat that led to a cyberattack on the Office of the Attorney General in July is "no longer there."

He added that a public statement will soon be made to address this as investigations near completion.

On July 7, the Ministry of Digital Transformation revealed the attack and said actions were being taken to minimise the threat.

"This unauthorised and illegal access has negatively impacted operations at the Ministry of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs and certain associated divisions," a release said.

It said the ministries were working with "leading industry cyber security experts."

When Newsday asked Attorney General Reginald Armour, SC, for an update on this about a week later, he was only able to say that investigations were ongoing.

Bacchus also told Newsday "international resources" are involved in the investigations.

He said, "Multiple agencies (are) involved in the address of this situation."

Asked for an update on this on Monday, Bacchus said the ministry "has not said very much about what has happened there and where (it is)."

When Newsday asked if the investigation has been completed, he said no.

"Cyber security, as an entity, is never concluded.

"In terms of dealing with the issue that is there, we are close to completion on that."

However, he then asked what completion meant, as it was subject to different interpretations.

"Did you find out what the cause was? Have you restored the services? Have you prevented it from happening again? What other things are you putting in place? How likely is this to happen to another ministry, division, agency, are the things you put in place now transferable, sustainable?"

He said a "comprehensive statement" will soon be made to the public on the incident, but could not say when this might be.

"The Ministry of Attorney General, the Ministry of Digital Transformation, National Security, along with CSIRT (Cyber Security Incident Response Team) and all of our external and local partners have brought this thing pretty much to completion.

"The threat is no longer there," he repeated.