Applus Technologies said vehicle emissions software used in Connecticut “is complex and different from that used in Massachusetts” where service was restored over the weekend.
“We recognize the inconvenience this service interruption has caused for motorists, new and used car dealers, and the network of privately-owned automotive service facilities who perform the inspections and the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV),” Applus CEO Darrin Greene said, in a written statement. “If we can confidently restore service sooner, we will.”
Connecticut and seven other states were impacted by the attack, which was detected March 30. Applus locked down its systems in all the states as soon as the issue was detected.
The state DMV said drivers who are late for emissions testing due to the outage will not be subject to late fees; local and state police have also been asked not to cite motorists who have an expired emissions test during the outage.
DMV has created a workaround that allows for new vehicle registrations or registration renewals without required vehicle emissions tests but those motorists will be required to meet state emissions compliance standards once the system is restored.
Applus is working to determine whether any personal information of Connecticut motorists was compromised in the attack. The company “has engaged computer forensic experts to assist in: analyzing the current attack, restoring our IT environment to permit restoration of services, enhancing security measures as appropriate, as well as anticipating and preventing future attacks that continue to evolve in sophistication by cyber criminals,” according to an online fact sheet.
“This is one of our highest priorities and we are working diligently on our systems’ integrity and restoration,” according to the fact sheet.
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