Ramsey County board extends local emergency after City of Saint Paul cyberattack; county systems unaffected, officials say

The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 5 voted to declare and extend a local state of emergency in response to a digital security incident affecting the City of Saint Paul, while county officials said Ramsey County systems have not been compromised.

County Manager Lynn Becker told the board the city detected coordinated malicious activity that prompted the city to restrict access to targeted systems and shut down its network to contain the threat. Becker said the Minnesota National Guard cybersecurity team, deployed under Governor Tim Walz’s emergency order, began assisting the city Friday and is working with city staff on system restoration.

The declaration enables Ramsey County to mobilize resources, coordinate with the city on continuity of emergency communications and public safety responses, and provide requested support. Becker said she will have authority to…