Update: Fort Bend County Library Ransomware Attack

The Fort Bend County Library system has been grappling with the aftermath of what IT Director Robyn Doughtie called “the biggest cyber event in Fort Bend County history.” What began as a network disruption in February 2025 has evolved into a comprehensive system rebuild that continues to impact services months later. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences that can result from inadequate cybersecurity measures and the importance of proactive protection for organizations of all sizes.

 The Attack Unfolds

On February 24, 2025, the Fort Bend County Library system discovered a massive ransomware attack that compromised their entire network infrastructure. Extensive investigative journalism by ABC13 was required to uncover the true scope of the incident.

Key Timeline and Discoveries:

• Attack discovered around noon on February 24, 2025, but library staff didn’t notify IT department until nearly two hours later
• Library Director Roosevelt Weeks initially described incident only as a vague “network disruption” with no details about nature or scope
• ABC13 submitted Freedom of Information Act requests for communications from IT director, library director, and county judge
• Fort Bend County attempted to block public records release by asking Texas Attorney General’s office to intervene in April 2025
• Attorney General’s office sided with ABC13 on June 10, 2025, ordering release of all requested documents
• Nearly 3,000 pages of emails and communications revealed true scope of attack
• Documents showed attackers left ransom note with instructions to access private communications portal
• Ransom note claimed all files were encrypted and important data copied to attackers’ storage
• Texas Department of Information Resources confirmed this was full-scale ransomware attack, not network disruption
• FBI involvement discovered through documents despite officials refusing to confirm federal participation when asked
• Initial failure to report attack to law enforcement, though this changed at unclear point during response

This investigative process exposed not only the severity of the cyberattack but also the county’s reluctance to provide transparent information to the public about an incident affecting taxpayer-funded services.

 Systemic Vulnerabilities Exposed

A post-attack risk assessment uncovered troubling security deficiencies that made the library system an easy target for cybercriminals. These vulnerabilities didn’t develop overnight but represented years of inadequate cybersecurity investment and poor security practices that created a perfect storm for attackers.

Critical Security Failures Identified:

• All servers and computers assigned state public IP addresses, making them directly accessible from the open internet
• Outdated operating systems throughout the network infrastructure
• Unsupported hardware that no longer received security updates
• Complete lack of security monitoring systems
• Publicly exposed servers and computers rated as highest risk factor
• Previous cryptomining malware infection in November 2021 that left employees unable to access email for days
• County IT recommendations from 2021 incident may never have been implemented
• Library staff requests for cybersecurity tools, resources, and engineering hours consistently denied in budget submissions
• Separation between county IT and library IT departments created coordination challenges
• Technical debt accumulated over years of non-compliance and non-intervention

The assessment revealed a fundamental misunderstanding of modern cybersecurity threats, with basic security hygiene practices absent from the library’s operations. These systemic failures created an environment where a successful attack was not a matter of if, but when.

 The Response and Recovery Challenges

The magnitude of the attack became clear when IT Director Doughtie warned that this wasn’t “a one-day fix, or even a one-month fix.” Rather than rushing to restore the old vulnerable systems, Fort Bend County made the strategic decision to invest in complete modernization, though this approach has created significant challenges and delays.

Recovery Strategy and Implementation:

• Complete network rebuild required due to total system compromise
• Strategic decision to modernize rather than restore old vulnerable infrastructure
• $1.2 million contract approved by commissioners in June 2025 for new systems
• All servers, network hardware, and security tools being replaced
• Core Polaris library platform moved to cloud-based service
• Extensive data restoration process involving careful import of backup data and offline transactions
• Lengthy hardware lead times contributing to extended restoration timeline
• Thorough security testing required before systems can go live
• Meticulous data validation process to prevent future complications
• External security certification dependent on third-party partners
• Contract approval processes for new equipment and managed security services added weeks to timeline
• Procurement challenges ensuring taxpayer value while extending service disruption period

The comprehensive approach, while taking significantly longer than a simple restoration, represents a commitment to building a more secure and resilient infrastructure that can better withstand future cyber threats.

 Ongoing Service Disruptions

The attack has significantly impacted library operations and patron services, creating frustration for both library users and staff members. While physical branches remain open, the digital infrastructure that modern libraries depend on remains severely compromised more than five months after the initial attack.

Current Service Limitations:

• Online catalog completely unavailable, requiring manual shelf searching
• Account management systems non-functional
• Holds tracking system offline
• Wall Street Journal database access unavailable
• LinkedIn Learning database access discontinued
• Library staff lack guidance on what information to share with frustrated patrons
• Anonymous library worker reports having to retreat to back offices to cry due to patron confrontations
• Homeschooling families report difficulty finding needed materials without searchable catalog
• Parents describe needing hours instead of minutes to locate books for children
• Extended library card acceptance for expired cards as temporary measure
• All overdue fines waived until full service restoration
• Some digital resources like OverDrive/Libby and Hoopla remain accessible
• Wi-Fi connectivity and printing from USB drives still available
• Physical book, DVD, and material borrowing continues with limitations

The extended service disruptions have created particular hardships for community members who rely heavily on library resources for education, research, and digital access, highlighting how deeply integrated digital services have become in modern library operations.

 How CinchOps Can Help

CinchOps understands the critical importance of robust cybersecurity measures for organizations of all sizes. The Fort Bend County Library incident demonstrates how inadequate security practices can lead to devastating consequences that extend far beyond immediate technical disruptions, affecting entire communities and costing millions in recovery efforts.

Comprehensive Cybersecurity Solutions:

• Proactive threat monitoring and 24/7 security operations center services
• Regular vulnerability assessments to identify and address security gaps before exploitation
• Employee cybersecurity training programs to build human firewall defenses
• Comprehensive incident response planning with clear communication protocols
• Automated backup and disaster recovery solutions with regular testing procedures
• Network segmentation and access controls to limit potential attack spread
• Patch management and system update services to eliminate known vulnerabilities
• Advanced endpoint detection and response capabilities
• Cloud security architecture design and implementation
• Ongoing security awareness programs and phishing simulation testing
• Business continuity planning to minimize operational disruptions during incidents

Rather than waiting for a cyberattack to expose your organization’s vulnerabilities, CinchOps helps build resilient security frameworks that can detect, prevent, and respond to threats effectively. CinchOps works with clients to develop comprehensive security strategies tailored to specific needs and budgets, ensuring that your organization doesn’t become the next cautionary tale.

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Discover more about our enterprise-grade and business protecting cybersecurity services: CinchOps Cybersecurity
Discover related topics: Fort Bend County Libraries: A Months-Long Cyberattack with No End in Sight
For Additional Information on this topic: Fort Bend County Library System Still Rebuilding After Cyberattack

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