Clay County government still recovering from attack

*Attached video: How AI is affecting Cyber Security

CLAY COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Officials in Clay County have renewed their emergency disaster declaration as efforts to recover from a ransomware attack move slowly.

Initially declared on July 11, the order was to be in effect for seven days.

“Due to the ongoing office disruptions at the Clay County Courthouse and Clay County Probation/Community Corrections caused by a cyber incident, the Clay County Commissioners have determined that it is necessary to renew the Local Disaster Declaration,” a news release reads.

The July 9 attack has crippled the court system and caused numerous county offices to remain closed since the incident began.

As of Thursday only the county’s health department, highway department, and sheriff’s office have re-opened. The offices remaining closed are the Assessor, Auditor, Child Support, CASA, Circuit Court, Clerk of Court, Election, Probation, Prosecutor, Recorder, Superior Court, Surveyor, Treasurer, and Veterans offices.

The commissioners said today’s declaration renewal will remain in effect for an additional seven days, to expire on July 25.

“Some county offices may begin opening at the beginning of next week,” the message continues.

On Wednesday, the Child Support Division posted a notice to Facebook saying while this incident continues, child support payments can NOT be made in-person.

The office offered the following ways for residents to pay their child support;

• Check or Money Order
  • Mailed to:
    • Indiana State Central Collection Unit (INSCCU)
      PO Box 7130
      Indianapolis, IN 46207-7130
  • Include your ISETS case number and custodial party name (Do not send cash to this address)
• Credit or Debit Card
  • https://www.in.gov/dcs/child-support/make-a-payment/
• Cash
  • MoneyGram outlets including Kroger, Walmart, and CVS. More locations can be found online here .
  • PayNearMe outlets including Family Dollar, CVS, and Casey’s General Stores. More locations can be found online here .

To see what offices are currently open, visit this website here . Updates are also being shared through the county’s Emergency Management Agency Facebook page . Those looking to get in contact with county government officials can do so by calling 812-512-1671 or by email.

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