This afternoon, the Toledo Symphony announced that its computers located at 1838 Parkwood Avenue were the targets of a computer hack over the weekend.
The majority of the organization’s computers and telephones remain offline as the Symphony’s IT team determines the scope of the damage. Most files are heavily encrypted and currently unusable.
“This is a major setback for us as an organization,” says Zak Vassar, President and CEO of the Toledo Symphony. “It’s brought our productivity to a complete halt. To complicate matters, we have our Season Opener at the Peristyle is this weekend. Our box office isn’t running at full capacity, and we have lost
some ground in our sales. We ask our audience for some patience as we get back up and running.”
However, some of the orchestra’s important administrative systems were spared. In recent years, the Symphony’s fundraising, ticketing, and email databases have migrated to cloud-based systems, which enable the organization to be much more nimble in the face of cyber threats.
“As we’ve become increasingly dependent on computer systems to operate our businesses, we’ve taken a proactive approach to safeguarding our organization and our patrons from being exploited,” Vassar says. “No credit card information was leaked as a result of this attack.”
The Toledo Museum of Art has provided the TSO staff with temporary office space, computers, and telephones so that they can resume operations.
The orchestra established limited box office service via a special telephone number: 419-418-0032.
The symphony’s website is now fully operational and available for online purchases at www.toledosymphony.com. Patrons may also stop by the box office located at 1838 Parkwood Avenue. The Peristyle’s box office will be open earlier, from 6:00-8:00, on Friday and Saturday before the weekend’s concerts.
“Thank you to the Toledo Museum of Art for supporting us during this time. They have been so generous and accommodating. Email is the best way to reach us,” says Vassar.
Provided by Toledo Symphony Orchestra
