Tewkesbury, November 12, 2024 — Tewkesbury Council mistakenly declared a cyber attack after its own systems triggered a false alert during a security test, leading to a major work backlog.
In an unexpected twist, Tewkesbury Borough Council, which initially declared a cyber attack emergency, has confirmed the incident was a false alarm caused by an internal security test. On September 4, council systems were shut down when unknown user accounts appeared, sparking fears of a major cyber attack.
The council immediately halted online services, redirected staff to assist vulnerable residents in person, and began a thorough investigation. Chief Executive Alistair Cunningham explained the impact of the unexpected shutdown, noting:
Our teams faced significant disruptions, particularly in critical services like planning. We’re now focused on clearing the backlog as quickly as possible.
The incident’s aftermath saw planning applications rise from 238 to 390, with the council racing to catch up after the downtime. The shutdown affected hundreds of services and generated a backlog of over 150 planning applications, resulting in delays and increased pressure on council operations.
Cybersecurity experts are highlighting the incident as a cautionary example for organizations conducting system tests. A cybersecurity consultant Mark Taylor said:
This situation underscores the importance of clear communication and procedures during security drills to avoid public disruptions.
The council has since resumed regular operations, but officials are urging institutions to refine protocols for internal security tests to avoid similar issues. For Tewkesbury, the incident served as both a trial and an opportunity to fortify its digital defenses.
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