A severe cyberattack has struck the city of St. Paul, Minnesota, prompting state authorities to call in the National Guard for support. According to an official announcement from Governor Tim Walz’s office on Tuesday, the scale and sophistication of the attack went far beyond the city's local capabilities, requiring the involvement of a specialized cybersecurity unit from the Guard.
The incident forced St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter to take immediate action by shutting down all of the city’s IT systems in an effort to contain the threat. This abrupt but necessary decision led to major disruptions in various public services, including the city’s Wi-Fi network, municipal operations, and library systems. Mayor Carter emphasized that the move was crucial to prevent further damage and safeguard sensitive public data.
The FBI and the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) have been contacted and are reportedly collaborating with the city, alongside two private cybersecurity firms. While officials have not disclosed the precise nature of the attack, experts suggest it aligns with the pattern of a ransomware operation — a type of cyberattack where hackers encrypt systems and demand a ransom for data recovery.
As of now, neither the FBI nor CISA have released public statements about the incident. However, cybersecurity analysts warn that such attacks are becoming increasingly frequent, targeting vulnerable local governments across the U.S. The deployment of the National Guard highlights the growing recognition of cyber threats as not just technical nuisances but serious risks to public infrastructure. Minnesota’s quick mobilization is seen as a necessary step to restore normal operations and investigate the scope and origins of the breach.
