A cyber attack forced the city of St Paul to shut down its entire IT infrastructure at 06:00 (13:00 SAST) on Monday, city officials confirmed at a press briefing on Tuesday.
St Paul Minnesota cyber attack causes city-wide disruptions and emergency response
According to USA Today, the shutdown was a response to what Mayor Melvin Carter described as a “deliberate, coordinated digital attack carried out by a sophisticated external actor.”
Speaking at the press conference on Tuesday, 10:00 (17:00 SAST), Carter said the city’s information systems were targeted in a criminal attempt to compromise its digital operations.
The cyber attack led to the city’s wireless internet going offline across all libraries, recreation centres, and other public buildings. Although many municipal systems have been affected, emergency services and 911 dispatch remain operational.
Carter declared a state of emergency to mobilise additional resources and expert support, confirming that the city is working with local police, state cybersecurity officials, and federal agencies, including the FBI. He said the motive behind the attack remains unknown, and it is still unclear if the perpetrators have issued any ransom demands.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz activated the state’s National Guard cyber unit through an executive order issued at 09:30 (16:30 SAST) on Tuesday. The unit will assess if any sensitive data has been compromised and will work to restore the city’s digital systems.
“We are committed to working alongside the City of Saint Paul to restore cybersecurity as quickly as possible,” Walz said in a public statement.
He added that cybersecurity experts are focused on reducing the long-term impact of the attack and ensuring the digital safety of St. Paul’s residents.
Mayor Carter made it clear that the shutdown was not due to a system glitch or internal technical failure.
“These disruptions are difficult, but they are necessary steps to limit exposure, preserve system integrity, and protect sensitive information,” he said.
An investigation into the attack’s source, scope, and damage is ongoing. City officials have yet to confirm when services will be fully restored.