Cyberattack Compounds Coronavirus Problems in Durham

Days before COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization, Durham’s city and county services were already struggling with a cybervirus that knocked out their technology. The pandemic and the malware attack now have collided for the Durham County Department of Social Services, placing unprecedented pressure on a large network relied on by low-income families, homeless people and other residents in need.

“We’re really having to focus on our core services right now, which are skyrocketing, and kind of put our optional services on hold,” said Ben Roe, the department’s director.