Victoria's Firefighters Relying on Pen and Paper After Cyberattack Disruptions Continue
Two and a half years after a crippling cyberattack, Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) firefighters are still experiencing significant disruptions to their technology, forcing them to revert to the basics: pen, paper, and pagers. The ongoing issues highlight the challenges of rebuilding critical infrastructure in the wake of sophisticated cyber threats and raise concerns about response times and firefighter safety.
The cyberattack, which occurred in late 2021, severely damaged FRV's communication and operational systems. While considerable progress has been made in recovery, intermittent outages continue to plague the service, particularly in regional areas. These outages can last for hours, severely impacting the ability of firefighters to coordinate responses, access vital information, and communicate effectively with each other and other emergency services.
“It’s frustrating, to say the least,” said a senior firefighter who wished to remain anonymous. “We’re trained to rely on technology – mapping systems, incident databases, real-time communications. When that’s gone, it’s like going back in time. We’re using paper maps, manually recording information, and relying on pagers to be alerted to incidents. It slows everything down and increases the risk.”
The reliance on analogue methods isn't just inconvenient; it's potentially dangerous. Delayed information can impact decision-making in high-pressure situations, and the lack of real-time communication can hinder coordination, especially during complex incidents involving multiple agencies.
FRV has acknowledged the ongoing challenges and is working to implement long-term solutions. A spokesperson stated, “We are committed to restoring full functionality to our systems and have invested significantly in cybersecurity upgrades and resilience measures. However, rebuilding after a significant cyberattack is a complex process, and we are experiencing some residual issues.”
The situation has prompted calls for greater investment in cybersecurity and disaster recovery planning across all essential services. Experts warn that similar attacks are likely to become more frequent and sophisticated, and organisations need to be prepared to operate effectively even when technology fails. The Victorian government is currently reviewing its cybersecurity strategy, and the FRV situation is expected to be a key consideration.
Beyond immediate operational concerns, the ongoing disruptions also raise questions about the long-term cost of the cyberattack and the effectiveness of the recovery efforts. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to cyber threats and the importance of robust safeguards and contingency plans.
Firefighters are commended for their professionalism and adaptability in managing these difficult circumstances, demonstrating their unwavering commitment to protecting the community, even when facing technological setbacks. However, the situation underscores the urgent need for a more resilient and secure emergency service infrastructure in Victoria.
