“When I Get Around to It”: Sheriff Kitts’ Timeline for Fixing Malware Issues Hampering Office’s Operations

In Jeff Davis County, the sheriff’s office continues to grapple with the aftermath of a malware attack that has left Sheriff Bill Kitts without access to his emails since late October. This ongoing disruption, now stretching into December, raises concerns about the department’s digital security and operational efficiency.

The initial attack, which occurred in October, was quickly contained, according to Sheriff Kitts. He assured the public that there had been no data breach. However, the affected computers, including his own, have been out of service as a preventive measure against further issues. The inability to access county email has been a notable consequence of this decision.

CTSI, the technology vendor for the county, has been involved in diagnosing and addressing the issue. They were first on-site on October 20, but the resolution of the problem has been notably delayed.

In a recent interaction with this publication, Sheriff Kitts initially responded with a dismissive remark about the timeline for fixing the email issue, stating, “when I get around to it,” followed by abruptly hanging up the phone. Upon a follow-up call, he altered his response to a more proactive “I’m working on it today.” This exchange highlighted the sheriff’s apparent frustration and the ongoing challenges his office faces in resolving the technical difficulties.

Despite these challenges, the sheriff’s office remains operational, handling its duties through alternative means while the email system is restored. The community awaits further updates on the situation, hopeful for a swift and secure resolution to this prolonged technical setback.