From SeaTac to the public library, high-profile hacks are plaguing the region. Why?

It’s been a tough few months for many local IT departments. Last week, hackers posted a handful of files stolen from SeaTac airport on the dark web. A ransomware gang is attempting to sell a trove of stolen Port of Seattle data for 6 million dollars in Bitcoin – after the Port refused to pay up. The cyber-attack a little over a month ago snarled travel when it took down ticketing, baggage, and other SeaTac services. But that’s just the highest profile ransomware case in the Seattle area in recent months. A few weeks ago, the Highline School District canceled classes because a cyberattack had wormed its way into the local system. There was also a crippling ransomware attack on Seattle Public Libraries back in May, which put their book checkout and online systems in limbo for months For more on what’s happening – and how organizations can protect themselves –Soundside caught up with Robby Winchester, the vice president of services and a co-founder of SpecterOps, a Seattle cybersecurity company.  Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Guests: Robby Winchester on the line. He’s the vice president of services and a co-founder of SpecterOps, a Seattle cybersecurity company.  Related Links:  Hackers demand $6 million for files stolen from Seattle airport operator in cyberattack | AP News Highline schools closing Monday because of cyberattack | The Seattle Times Why did ransomware hackers target Seattle Public Library? – GeekWire See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.