Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has activated the state’s National Guard in response to a cyberattack on the capital city of Saint Paul. City officials have not yet revealed the specifics of the attack, but the breach, which occurred on July 25, continues to disrupt municipal operations and some public services.
Saint Paul, home to over 300,000 residents, is one of the largest cities in the U.S. and the latest target in a growing trend of cyberattacks against major cities by hackers and ransomware groups in recent years.
In a statement on Tuesday, Governor Walz explained that he authorized the National Guard’s cyber forces at the city’s request to assist in recovery efforts. He cited the “magnitude and complexity” of the breach as exceeding Saint Paul’s ability to respond independently. The National Guard’s role will be to help restore critical services and ensure the safety and security of residents.
Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter confirmed during a press conference that the city took its government systems offline to contain the breach, resulting in a citywide Wi-Fi outage. While the city stores minimal resident data, Carter acknowledged the potential risk of stolen employee information.