Richardson, Texas Claims Cyber Attack on City Servers Was Contained by Automated Security Systems
On the morning of September 25, 2024, at 6:22 a.m., the city of Richardson, Texas, faced a cyber attack in which an external party gained temporary access to the city's servers and attempted to encrypt data files. Automated security systems responded swiftly, containing the impact to a small number of files. As a precautionary measure, internal access to city servers was restricted. Officials have stated that essential services such as emergency response, online payments, and solid waste service requests remain fully functional despite the breach. While the specific type of data compromised is still under assessment, there is currently no indication that sensitive data was accessed.
The City of Richardson is actively cooperating with the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to investigate the incident, as efforts are underway to restore internal systems by replacing equipment and recovering information from backups. City Manager Don Magner acknowledged the attack as a reality that many cities face and credited existing security protocols for effectively minimizing the impact. The DHS has also alerted other agencies to monitor for similar incidents, while the city continues to update its security measures to prevent future breaches. Further information will be provided as the investigation progresses.