WiredInUSA May 2016

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MAKING THENEWS Police, fire and residents cut off after network damage

Thousands of Verizoncustomers, including a local police and fire department in New Jersey, were cut off from critical services after criminals damaged network facilities. At least 24 suspected incidents of sabotage were reported, in five states, in the space of a week in mid-April. “We will find out who’s behind these highly dangerous criminal acts and we will pursue criminal charges,” said Michael Mason, Verizon’s chief security officer. Reported incidents include sliced fiber optic cabling at a network facility box in New Jersey; sabotage in Massachusetts in which phone services were cut off for customers for 16 hours; and cut fiber optic and copper cables in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York that disabled

voice communications and Internet connectivity.

“These perpetrators are putting lives at risk and these dangerous acts need to stop,” said Mr Mason, a former FBI official. “It’s a violation of federal law to damage critical communications facilities. We have dispatched additional Verizon security teams in all states where this illegal activity is taking place. We’re also working with law enforcement to ensure our networks and facilities are secure.” Verizon is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of individuals who intentionally damage Verizon cables or facilities. The company is also experiencing a strike by around 36,000 employees, primarily in its wireline business.

wiredInUSA - May 2016

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