In a swift response to a severe cyberattack, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz activated the National Guard to assist the City of Saint Paul, the state’s capital, on Friday. The attack, which has disrupted various digital services, has drawn attention to the vulnerabilities in municipal infrastructure.
The city has been collaborating with local, state, and federal partners to investigate the incident and restore full functionality. While emergency services remain operational, residents have faced issues with online payments and access to some services in public libraries and recreation centers. The city acknowledged the situation, stating, ‘While many city services remain available, some may be temporarily delayed or disrupted due to limited system access. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to bring systems fully back online.’
The cyberattack persisted through the weekend, forcing city officials to work tirelessly to address the challenges posed by the incident. An emergency executive order revealed that the attack’s scale and complexity exceeded both internal and vendor response capabilities, prompting the city’s request for aid from the Minnesota National Guard. According to the order, ‘St. Paul has requested cyber protection support from the Minnesota National Guard to help address this incident and make sure that vital municipal services continue without interruption.’
Governor Walz expressed commitment to restoring cybersecurity in the affected areas, stating, ‘We are committed to working alongside the City of Saint Paul to restore cybersecurity as quickly as possible.’ The Minnesota National Guard’s cyber forces will collaborate closely with city, state, and federal officials to mitigate the incident’s effects and protect essential services.
With a population exceeding 311,000, Saint Paul is the second-largest city in Minnesota, following Minneapolis. The deployment of the National Guard not only aims to address the immediate cybersecurity concerns but also to bolster the city’s resilience against future threats, ensuring the safety and security of its residents.