SAINT PAUL, MN — City officials in Saint Paul declared a local state of emergency following a coordinated cyberattack that disrupted internal systems and forced a shutdown of digital infrastructure across municipal departments.
City officials in Saint Paul declared a local state of emergency Monday following a coordinated cyberattack that disrupted internal systems and forced a shutdown of digital infrastructure across municipal departments.
The breach, first detected on Friday, was confirmed to be a deliberate and sophisticated intrusion by an external actor. Mayor Melvin Carter described the incident as a “deliberate, coordinated digital attack… intentionally and criminally targeting our city’s information infrastructure.” In response, the city initiated a full shutdown of its systems on Monday to isolate the threat and prevent further damage.
Governor Walz activates Minnesota National Guard Cyber Forces
In a significant escalation of the response, Governor Tim Walz issued an executive order Tuesday activating cyber protection assets from the Minnesota National Guard. The deployment followed a formal request from city officials, who acknowledged that the magnitude and complexity of the attack had exceeded their internal response capacity.
“The Minnesota National Guard’s cyber forces will collaborate with city, state, and federal officials to resolve the situation and mitigate lasting impacts,” Walz said. “Above all, we are committed to protecting the safety and security of the people of Saint Paul” (WDIO).
The executive order took effect immediately and mobilized specialized cyber units to ensure continuity of vital services and assist in forensic recovery efforts. The FBI is currently leading the investigation into the breach (Fox21 Online).
City response and recovery efforts
Saint Paul’s Emergency Operations Center has been activated, and two national cybersecurity firms have been retained to support recovery. City officials are working closely with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to trace the source and scope of the breach.
Mayor Carter emphasized that the attack is contained to city systems and that limited data exists on residents who are not employed by the city. Officials have not confirmed whether any sensitive information was compromised (MSN).
Public Advisory: City services during digital security incident
The City of Saint Paul has issued updated guidance for residents as recovery efforts continue (City of Saint Paul):
Emergency Services
- 911 remains fully operational. Call 911 for police, fire, or medical emergencies.
- Non-emergency issues, including public safety or infrastructure concerns: Call 651-291-1111.
City Services Status
- Many city services remain available, though some may be delayed or disrupted due to limited system access.
- Online payments are currently unavailable. No late fees will be assessed during this period.
- Storm damage reports should be emailed to Forestry@ci.stpaul.mn.us.
- Libraries and recreation centers remain open, though some services may be temporarily limited.
Contact Information
- For general, non-emergency questions or assistance: InformationAndComplaints@ci.stpaul.mn.us (Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)
