The Philadelphia Inquirer, a prominent news organization, encountered its most significant operational disruption in 27 years as a result of a cyberattack. The incident prevented the printing of the newspaper’s Sunday edition, although the website remained accessible with slower updates.
Inquirer publisher Lisa Hughes acknowledged the restoration process would take time and requested patience during the investigation.
The cyberattack was initially detected when employees found issues with the newspaper’s content-management system, prompting immediate action to isolate affected systems.
This disruption surpasses any experienced by Pennsylvania’s largest news organization since a massive blizzard in 1996. Despite the attack’s proximity to the upcoming mayoral primary election, news coverage will remain unaffected, although the newsroom will be inaccessible to journalists on election night.
Publisher Lisa Hughes revealed that other Inquirer employees will not have access to offices until at least Tuesday, with alternative coworking arrangements being explored. The company has engaged the FBI in an ongoing investigation to determine the scope and specific targets of the attack. The FBI declined to comment on the matter, leaving the Inquirer awaiting further updates.
The incident serves as a reminder of the increasing vulnerability of media organizations to cyber threats, highlighting the urgency to strengthen cybersecurity measures.
