- Suisun City declared a state of emergency on Saturday after a cyberattack forced the shutdown of its information technology network.
- The malicious software infected Suisun City's IT systems around 5:45 a.m. on Friday.
- The city shut down its entire computer network to contain the threat and preserve evidence for a federal investigation.
- 911 call routing and police/fire dispatch were affected, with dispatchers moving to Solano County's backup dispatch center.
- As of Sunday morning, online city services and internal operations remained temporarily unavailable while cybersecurity experts investigated.
- The attack is believed to be the first of its kind in Suisun City, which has a population of nearly 30,000 residents.
- Federal agencies, including the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security, are investigating the breach.
- Suisun City officials stated that the attack posed no imminent threat to the public and that all public safety services remained active.
- Cybersecurity experts have highlighted the vulnerabilities in the 911 system, emphasizing the need for cities to adopt a more proactive approach to cybersecurity.
Suisun City, California, is grappling with the aftermath of a cyberattack that compromised its entire IT network, leading to a state of emergency declaration on Saturday. The attack, which occurred around 5:45 a.m. on Friday, disrupted critical public safety operations, including 911 call routing and police and fire dispatch services.1245
City officials reported that dispatchers are currently handling emergency calls through the Solano County dispatch center, ensuring that public safety services remain active despite the network shutdown. Michael Elm from the Suisun City Public Information Office stated, “From a public safety standpoint, there’s no threat to the public at this time.” However, residents may face inconveniences, such as being unable to pay water bills or process permits.
The city’s IT network was shut down to contain the threat and preserve evidence for a federal investigation, with the FBI and other federal agencies now involved. This incident marks a significant cybersecurity breach for the city of approximately 30,000 residents, highlighting vulnerabilities in local government systems. Cybersecurity expert Alex Hammerstone emphasized the need for proactive measures, stating, “After an incident happens, there’s all the money in the world to go out and fix it.”710
Suisun City is not alone; other local governments have faced similar attacks, raising concerns about the security of essential services. The city remains committed to restoring its systems while ensuring public safety is not compromised during this challenging time.
“The attack is believed to be the first of its kind in the city of 30,000, located 55 miles north of San Francisco, as federal agencies warn of growing threats to essential services. Dispatchers have moved to Solano County's backup center, and the city has no estimate for when systems will be restored.”
