Fort St. John to host cyber defence conference after ransomware attack in spring

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — A cyber defence conference will be held in Fort St. John this fall.

The Northern Cyber Defence Conference aims to prepare local organizations and residents to better defend against and recover from cyberattacks, the city said in a press release.

The conference is scheduled for October 23rd at the Pomeroy Hotel and Conference Centre. 

It will feature national cybersecurity experts, including keynote speaker Chris Mathers, and include firsthand accounts from city staff about the ransomware attack that impacted the city earlier this year.

“Cybersecurity is no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity,” said Milo MacDonald, chief administrative officer for the city. 

“Our experience earlier this year was a wake-up call. We’re sharing our story to highlight the risks and show how communities can unite, learn and emerge stronger.”

The February cyber incident brought down the city’s phone and email systems and disrupted internal operations. 

On March 13th, communications manager Ryan Harvey confirmed it was a ransomware attack and no payment was made to the attackers. By early March, most city services had been restored.

A small amount of city data, less than one per cent, was stolen during the attack, Harvey said. 

According to Harvey, the files primarily consisted of working documents and there’s no indication that personal or financial information was compromised.

Breakfast will be provided by the mayor’s standing committee on community economic development, with lunch sponsored by MNP. Registration for the event is now open, with tickets priced at $50 per person.

For more information, visit the City of Fort St. John’s website.