A California city has declared a state of emergency after a cyberattack disrupted several critical public services, including parts of its 911 emergency call system, forcing officials to shut down the city’s entire computer network. According to a report by the New York Post, Suisun City, located in Solano County, said malicious software breached its information technology (IT) systems at around 5:45 am on August 7. To stop the attack from spreading and protect digital evidence, officials disconnected the entire network while investigators began examining the incident. Notably, the authorities have not disclosed the type of malicious software used or identified any suspects.
911 calls rerouted, emergency services continue
Despite the disruption, city officials said there is no immediate threat to public safety. Police, firefighters and emergency responders continue to operate, with 911 calls being routed through the Solano County dispatch center.The cyberattack also affected city records, online services and other internal systems, making several municipal services temporarily unavailable. The Suisun City Council unanimously approved a local state of emergency during a special meeting on Saturday.Federal agencies join investigationThe emergency declaration allows the city to access additional emergency resources and seek reimbursement for costs related to the cyberattack. Officials, as per the New York Post report said they are working with the FBI, the US Department of Homeland Security, the California Office of Emergency Services and other state and regional agencies to investigate the breach.The city has also activated its Emergency Operations Center while investigators work to determine how the attackers gained access to the network and who was responsible.
Steps taken to contain cyberattack
City officials said shutting down the entire computer network was necessary to contain the cyberattack and preserve evidence for the investigation Suisun City is located about 45 miles from both San Francisco and Sacramento. Officials said they are working to restore affected systems safely while ensuring essential emergency services remain available to residents.