Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten reports hack

The Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten took its computer systems offline last Thursday after the agency was informed of a cyber attack. The bank declined to provide further details pending the investigation.

On Sunday, the CBCS announced that it had been hit by a cyber attack. It is not clear what type of attack is involved and what the consequences are. In its own words, the central bank has launched an investigation in close collaboration with various international and local security companies and forensic experts.

It would be an attack on the operational network of the CBCS. That has been taken offline ‘to protect data and the integrity of the system’. Research must show which data has been compromised. According to the agency, the first investigation shows that payment systems have not been affected, but “additional security measures” have nevertheless been taken, according to the press release.

As a precautionary measure, the CBCS has suspended communication via email and remote phone services. The agency can still be reached via the traditional telephone line for urgent matters. According to the CBCS, the relevant authorities have been informed. In the interest of the investigation, the bank declined to provide further details about the attack.