Suisun City Declares Emergency Following Cyberattack on Computer Network

Suisun City, a municipality in northern California with a population of approximately 30,000, has declared a state of emergency following a cyberattack that compromised its entire computer network. The incident occurred shortly before 6 p.m. on a Friday, prompting officials to take immediate action to prevent further damage and protect evidence for a federal investigation. As a result of the attack, the city's 911 emergency line was temporarily idled, necessitating a workaround that involved forwarding emergency calls to a nearby county dispatch center.

Despite the disruption, city officials have assured residents that first responders are still active and able to respond to emergencies. Emergency operators are routing calls through the Solano County dispatch center, ensuring that police and fire personnel can continue to serve the community effectively.

The cyberattack also affected non-emergency city services, disrupting access to municipal records, including building permits, and halting residents' ability to pay bills online. The city council convened a special meeting on Saturday morning, where they unanimously voted to disconnect the network and declare a state of emergency.

This incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding cybersecurity for municipalities and critical infrastructure. Earlier this year, U.S. authorities issued warnings about potential cyber threats from state-backed hackers, particularly those associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Iran. Investigators are currently working to determine how the malicious software infiltrated the city's network and who may be responsible for the attack.