Two key technology executives resign following ransomware attack on Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office.
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Two key technology executives resign following ransomware attack on Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office.

Two prominent technology executives in Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s administration have recently departed, marking significant changes as state officials navigate the repercussions of a major ransomware attack at the Attorney General’s Office. This incident has coincided with an increased demand for private-sector data centers, which pose challenges to the state’s energy resources and cybersecurity.

R. Brian Andrews, who has served as Pennsylvania’s Chief Technology Officer since joining the state government in 2020, has announced his departure and is currently seeking new employment opportunities. Prior to his role in public service, Andrews had a distinguished career as a military instructor in the Army.

In response to Andrews’ exit, Bryanna Pardoe has been appointed as the acting Chief Technology Officer. Pardoe, who previously held technology roles at Main Line Health and Geisinger Health, joined the Shapiro administration earlier this year, tasked with overseeing the Commonwealth Office of Digital Experience.

Amaya Capellán, another significant figure in the administration, has also left her position as the state’s Chief Information Officer. Capellán previously worked in a leadership role at Comcast. James Sipe, a seasoned cybersecurity expert and former leader at Amazon Web Services, has stepped in as the acting Executive Deputy Secretary for Information Technology following Capellán’s departure.

The Pennsylvania Office of Administration, which manages the state’s IT operations, has refrained from providing detailed comments regarding personnel changes. A spokesperson confirmed the interim roles but emphasized that personnel matters could not be discussed publicly.

The backdrop to these executive changes includes a serious ransomware incident that occurred last month, where the cybercrime group known as INC publicly claimed responsibility for stealing over five terabytes of sensitive data from the Attorney General’s Office. The attack resulted in significant disruptions, including the halting of crucial civil and criminal cases in Pennsylvania courts, as a ransom demand was issued by the attackers—one that state officials unequivocally refused.

Furthermore, state technology authorities have faced criticism for recent operational challenges, including the intermittent outages in the statewide 911 system attributed to technical issues. This follows a previous incident in which a state employee lost sensitive police and pension data on a state server, sparking legislative hearings aimed at enhancing online security measures.

As Pennsylvania seeks to recover from these considerable setbacks, the transition in its technology leadership will be closely monitored, underscoring the vital importance of robust cybersecurity strategies and effective data management in public administration.

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