Minnesota National Guard Activated After St. Paul Cyberattack

On Tuesday, July 29, 2025, Governor Tim Walz announced the activation of the Minnesota National Guard to assist the City of St. Paul following a significant cyberattack. The attack, detected on Friday, prompted the city to shut down its information systems as a defensive measure. This action has led to disruptions in online services, internal systems, and wifi access in city buildings. Mayor Melvin Carter described the incident as a deliberate and coordinated digital attack by a sophisticated external actor. The National Guard's cyber protection assets are now collaborating with city, state, and federal officials to resolve the situation and mitigate lasting impacts. The city has also retained two national firms and activated its emergency operations center to manage the crisis. While 911 services remain operational, the city acknowledges back-end challenges. The incident underscores the increasing need for robust cybersecurity measures and preparedness in municipal infrastructure.

The cyberattack has disrupted access to online services, internal systems, and wifi in city buildings. Some services may be temporarily delayed or unavailable.

Yes, 911 services are working as normal, though there have been back-end challenges.

The Minnesota National Guard has been activated, and local, state, and federal agencies, including the FBI, are investigating the attack. The city has also retained two national firms and activated its emergency operations center.

The cyberattack on St. Paul highlights the vulnerability of city infrastructures to sophisticated digital threats. Key takeaways include: the importance of robust cybersecurity measures, the need for coordinated responses involving multiple levels of government and private sector experts, and the potential for significant disruption to public services. Preparing for such incidents involves regular security audits, employee training, and incident response planning.

Do you think cities are adequately prepared for cyberattacks? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Share this article with others who need to stay ahead of this trend!