Jefferson County Clerk's Office could reopen Friday as cyberattack investigation continues

Officials from the Jefferson County Clerk's Office are still investigating after a ransomware attack shuttered branches across the city, but plans are in the works to open at least one branch before the end of the week.

During a Thursday news conference, Jefferson County Clerk Bobbie Holsclaw said the ransomware attack occurred at 4:24 a.m. Monday, shutting down their entire system. She believes no data or personal information was breached, but the FBI and Central Infrastructure Security Administration are actively assisting with the investigation.

“Our forensic team and our IT team are checking everything. They are making sure everything is safe. We’re not going to reopen until we know the computers are safe and have not been infected,” said Ashley Tinius, director of communications for the Jefferson County Clerk.

Holsclaw said she hopes to be able to start reopening offices Friday, beginning with the Dixie Highway branch. While the buildings typically remain closed on weekends, doors will be open on Saturday to help with the backlog, but July filing deadlines will not be extended even though the system has been shut down for most of the week.

“The timing is not good for this because it being the end of the month, which is always heavy anyway, and then you’re going to add this onto it," she said. "We can only take as many people as we can, that’s why I’m going to open Saturday, to try to help that crowd.”

Tabatha Clemons, Grant County Clerk and president of the Kentucky County Clerks Association said although deadlines won't be extended, area residents can complete renewals online or visit a nearby clerk's office.

“All of the surrounding county clerks have been willing to open their doors to Jefferson County customers, so if they would like to, they can certainly make a little drive across the line and go to one of those offices and seek assistance for their July renewal, but they can also still process online," Clemons said.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Jefferson County Clerk's Office could reopen Friday as cyberattack investigation continues