ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Orange County officials are concerned about a judge's recent ruling that IP addresses utilizing the county's file-sharing system are public record.
Every computer and phone has an assigned IP address and it can be used by hackers to gain access to the device.
The county is worried the ruling will make it much easier for hackers to unlock the county's vast network that controls 911 systems, locks on jail cells and even drinking water.
"It's about the cogwheels that make our security system run," said Peter Miller, enterprise security manager.
Miller is in charge of keeping the county's network secure and he also raised a red flag about the judge's decision.
"I'm astounded from a technical perspective, I'm surprised," said Miller.
The case began after Organize Now requested access to the IP addresses allowed to view files on the county's file sharing account on the website Drop Box. Organize Now wanted to know if lobbyists had access to the files.
The county said they do not have access, but the information technology staff refused to release the IP addresses, arguing that it could open the county's computers to hackers.
In the end, the judge ruled the IP addresses are public and don't pose enough of a security risk to warrant an exemption.
"I'm concerned about the citizens' information. We house citizens' information, medical information, financial information," said Miller.
Miller and other county officials strongly disagree with the judge's ruling and are concerned about future requests regarding IP addresses.
WFTV
