Nevada governor defends absence, calls cyberattack his most serious crisis
Gov. Joe Lombardo on Thursday defended his absence from the first press conference the state held regarding the ransomware attack, which he acknowledged is the most serious crisis he has faced as governor.
The governor spent the first 15 minutes of a press conference Thursday not on the cyberattack but explaining why he had traveled to Northern Nevada on Wednesday to meet with local government officials and constituents and discuss emergency management and economic issues.
Lombardo said he understood his absence was noticed, but he felt comfortable having his team lead the conference.
“There’s been constant conversation. I have never been unavailable as your governor under this crisis,” he said.
The governor attended the opening of a temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in northeastern Nevada as well as a meet-and-greet event with constituents promoted by the Elko County Republican Party, according to social media posts. Lombardo said constituents wanted to express their grievances with the state and federal government relating to energy, water and emergency management.
“I felt my presence was needed to answer their questions and perception of avoidance,” he said.
More details on attack and response
It is still unclear what state data was compromised and whether it included personal information, such as Nevadans’ Social Security numbers, credit card numbers or other identifying information. If officials confirm personal information was released, they will notify the individuals affected, according to Tim Galluzi, executive director of the Governor’s Technology Office.
Officials are also unaware what information the intruder was seeking, and the state is still evaluating how the attack occurred. The federal government is evaluating whether there was a demand from the attackers and if there’s an ability to learn more about them, Lombardo said. The attackers’ motive was unclear, he said.
“We’re going to do everything to ensure that the investigation identifies who the bad actors are, and make sure that we have robust prosecution,” Lombardo said.
Lombardo said there was no “absolute policy” that dictates how the state responds to ransomware attacks, or if the state does or does not pay a ransom, but he said there is an insurance policy that helps with that decision making.
“I understand everybody’s frustration,” Lombardo said. “I’m frustrated. I wish I had the answers currently, but I am confident in our response and our continued evaluation of the systems.”
Expanded phone line, restoring services
Lombardo announced Thursday an expanded 211 phone line providing information about how to access state services and a website with updates regarding the recent cyberattack that closed state offices and halted some services.
People with questions about state services can call 211 or visit www.oem.nv.gov/recovery/.
Other services are slowly coming back, officials said.
As of Thursday, smog test results are being sent to the Department of Motor Vehicles, according to director Tonya Laney.
Internet and phone services also have been restored to the majority of the state’s infrastructure, according to Tim Robb, Nevada’s homeland security adviser.
On Sept. 1, SNAP benefits will begin to be put on cards for people who qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, according to Richard Whitley, director of the Department of Human Services. IT staff was able to help provide third-party vendors the necessary data to transfer to the federal government, Whitley said.
The state restored access to the National Crime Information Center, and the NICS system, which conducts background checks on people who want to own a firearm, is also back up and running, officials said.
Contact Jessica Hill at jehill@reviewjournal.com. Follow @jess_hillyeah on X.
