Cyberattack Shuts Nevada State Offices, Websites: Governor’s Office

Nevada’s computer systems were targeted in a cyberattack that resulted in state agencies being shut down, the office of Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo said on Aug. 26.

The governor’s office stated that authorities are investigating after discovering the attack on Aug. 24. The incident prompted state agencies to deactivate phone lines, websites, and other systems, the office said in a statement.

It did not provide technical details about the incident in order to protect its systems as the investigation unfolds, according to the statement, and it did not say where the attacks originated.

The office stated that there is no evidence that any personal information was stolen in the attack. Emergency services are still available, it noted.

People who need emergency services are advised to call 911. For nonemergency services, the office advised residents to use email.

State employees were put on administrative leave on Aug. 25, it stated. Many returned to work on Aug. 26, and workers will continue to come back to the office as their computer systems are brought online.

The office did not say when services would return. It stated that it is working with state, local, and federal officials to restore the affected services and would prioritize critical systems.

“As the State continues its recovery efforts, the network security incident continues to impact the availability of certain state technology systems on the state network,” the statement reads.

Nevada residents should also be cautious if they receive any unsolicited calls, emails, or texts that ask for personal information or payments, according to the statement. It also stated that as state websites come back online, people should verify information.

Previous cyberattacks have crippled public services elsewhere in the United States in recent years.

In 2018, a ransomware attack shut down automated 911 dispatching in Baltimore for roughly 17 hours. In 2020, a cyberattack took down computer systems and websites in Oregon’s Tillamook County.

Earlier this month, the office of Pennsylvania’s attorney general warned residents that its email and phone lines were down because of a cyberattack.

“This is a frustrating situation, and everyone is doing their very best,” Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday said on social media on Aug. 11. “I am grateful for the dedication and professionalism of our Information Technology staff who are working around the clock to resolve the matter.”

The FBI earlier this month warned that Russian hackers had compromised computer systems at manufacturing plants, power grids, water treatment facilities, and other infrastructure and linked those malign actors to Russia’s Federal Security Service.

In 2023, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), who is now the U.S. secretary of state, said Chinese cyberattacks could cripple major systems, such as telecommunications lines, after AT&T services went down for millions of people.

“And it won’t be just cell service they hit, it will be your power, your water, and your bank,” Rubio said at the time, while warning about the capabilities of the Chinese Communist Party.

AT&T said at the time that the outage wasn’t due to a cyberattack or similar cause.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.