The government of the British overseas territory of Bermuda attributed a comprehensive cyberattack that disrupted the IT systems of all its departments since Thursday to hackers from an external source.

Notifying the public, the Bermuda Government mentioned experiencing interruptions in internet, email, and phone services, affecting all departments. The Department of Information and Digital Technology (IDT) is actively striving to restore these services.

Premier David Burt, during a press briefing, remarked that the ongoing investigation has not yet unearthed evidence suggesting the theft of data from the affected systems. He further disclosed that this incident hasn’t only influenced the Bermuda Government but has also affected several regional governments. Based on initial findings, it seems the attack stemmed from an external location, and the government is collaborating with different agencies to swiftly resolve the issue and restore services.

Local news agencies conveyed Burt’s thoughts, indicating that other Caribbean jurisdictions might have been impacted too. The Bermuda Government later announced the possibility of additional service interruptions during the day, attributing it to the cyber incident.

Efforts are underway to mend the effects of the incident. The IDT continues its task of restoring services and ensuring access to the affected systems. In the meantime, the government initiated processes to handle payroll and vendor payments, though some delays are anticipated. For the present, only cash and checks are being accepted by cashiers. The Bermuda Government also communicated that the Government House is informed about the situation and both entities are working in tandem.

The Bermuda Government intends to conduct another press briefing later to share further details on the findings of the investigation.