City of Killeen Hit by Ransomware Attack
The City of Killeen, Texas, is in recovery mode following a ransomware attack by the BlackSuit Ransomware group on Wednesday morning, August 7, 2024. The attack, which was confirmed by city officials, disrupted several key services, including the Municipal Court and Transfer Station, though those services have since been restored. However, residents may still experience delays in essential services, particularly at the Utility Collections division, which is currently accepting payments only online or via cash, check, or money order in person.
The city’s IT department acted swiftly to secure systems and cut off connections to the Bell County Network to prevent further spread. Although the city has stated that it has no reason to believe that citizens’ personal or financial information has been compromised, residents are advised to monitor their financial accounts for any suspicious activity.
The ransomware attack was publicly acknowledged after a ransom message from the BlackSuit group was shared with local media. The message claimed responsibility for encrypting essential city files and threatened to publish them online unless a deal is made. The city has not disclosed whether it plans to pay the ransom or how much is being demanded.
City officials, including the Texas Department of Information Resources, are working closely with cybersecurity experts to restore full functionality to all affected systems. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available. The city emphasized its commitment to safeguarding residents' information and services as recovery efforts continue.