Washington County alert system hit by cyberattack
Washington County said Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025, that its emergency alert system was the target of a cyberattack, prompting an investigation into the impact on public warning capabilities. Officials are assessing the scope of the incident and working to restore full alert functionality while communicating updates to residents.
đ Key Facts
- Washington County (Twin Cities metro) reported its emergency alert system was victim of a cyberattack
- Incident date/public disclosure: Nov. 25, 2025
- County officials said they are investigating the scope and working on restoration
đ Relevant Data
So far in 2025, major cyberattacks on state and local governments have been observed in at least 44 U.S. states.
Cyber Threat Snapshot â Committee on Homeland Security
Between 2018 and 2024, there were 525 reported ransomware attacks on U.S. government entities, resulting in an estimated $1.09 billion in costs.
Digital Frontlines: The Escalating Cyber War on Municipalities Worldwide â CyberProof
Between 2016 and 2018, cybersecurity firm SecuLore Solutions documented 184 cyberattacks on public safety agencies and local governments, with 911 centers being prime targets.
America's 911 Systems Under Siege: The Growing Cyber Threat to Emergency Services â Breached Company
About 28% of local governments were victims of hourly or more frequent cyber-attacks, while 19% were targeted at least once per day.
Cybersecurity in local governments: A systematic review and bibliometric analysis â ScienceDirect
The Interlock ransomware gang breached St. Paul's city government systems in late July 2025, stealing around 43 GB of internal data.
Major Cyber Attacks, Ransomware Attacks and Data Breaches â CM Alliance