Critical Infrastructure at Risk: BVIEC Confirms Cyberattack
The British Virgin Islands Electric Corporation (BVIEC) has encountered severe challenges after falling victim to a cyberattack, as officially announced on Monday, August 19th. This attack affected both the company’s internal and external systems, leading to disruptions in its daily operations and complicating the recovery efforts already underway following Tropical Storm Ernesto.
While specific details of the cyberattack have not yet been disclosed, BVIEC has stated that all necessary measures have been taken to minimize the damage and restore normal operations. The company is actively collaborating with leading cybersecurity experts and law enforcement agencies in both the British Virgin Islands and the United Kingdom. Experts are conducting a thorough investigation into the incident to determine its causes and mitigate its impact.
These events have occurred during a challenging period for BVIEC, as the company has not yet completed the restoration of power supply disrupted by the impact of Tropical Storm Ernesto. It is worth recalling that the storm, which struck the British Virgin Islands, caused significant power outages across the entire archipelago, leaving thousands of residents without electricity.
Immediately after the storm, BVIEC began intensive efforts to restore the main power transmission lines. However, due to the complexity of the situation and the need to address the aftermath of the cyberattack, the restoration process has been delayed.
Corporation representatives explained that their current priority is to restore the main power lines to supply electricity to as many homes as possible. Only after this will the teams be able to begin connecting individual consumers, which explains the discrepancies in electricity availability in different homes within the same area.
At present, BVIEC is actively working in the Great Mountain and Josiah’s Bay areas. It has also been reported that the power supply on the island of Virgin Gorda has been fully restored, which marks a significant achievement given the circumstances.
Despite the serious difficulties, the company continues to work around the clock to restore power across the entire archipelago as swiftly as possible. Residents of areas where electricity has not yet been restored are advised to exercise patience and understanding, as repair teams face unforeseen challenges caused both by the storm’s aftermath and the cyberattack.
BVIEC expresses its gratitude to all residents for their patience and support during this difficult time, assuring them that every effort is being made to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. Company representatives have promised to regularly update the public on the progress of the restoration work and the measures being taken to ensure safety.
