Cyberattack on Westmount – November 25, 2022, Update

The cyberattack detected on Sunday, November 20, 2022, is still being dealt with by the City of Westmount.  

VARS, a cybersecurity firm and subsidiary of the Raymond Chabot Group, is working around the clock with the City’s IT Department to contain the attack, determine the impact and restore the City’s systems in the most secure manner. The appropriate authorities have also been notified, and the City is cooperating fully in investigating this incident.  

“We are indeed facing a troubling event that we take very seriously. Protecting our residents’ and employees’ data is of the utmost concern to us. For this reason, we have called upon a team of leading experts to assist us in analyzing the situation and restoring our information assets safely. As many of you know, computer attacks are becoming increasingly common in our interconnected world. Despite the measures we are taking to protect ourselves, these attacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated and are targeting private organizations, public administrations and individuals. As a municipality, we are doing our utmost to protect ourselves as best we can against these threats. But I would also like to invite residents to be extremely vigilant and to secure their personal information as much as possible in this digital world.” said Mayor Christina M. Smith.

Residents wishing to contact the City regarding this incident can call 514 989 5385, from Monday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  

Some municipal services have been affected, but most activities and services have continued to operate. Email communications to the City, which were interrupted on Monday, November 21, are gradually being restored. Residents can also contact the City departments by telephone (consult the Department directory) or visit a point of service.   

Further information will be provided as soon as possible.