2 min read
Minnesota deploys National Guard after cyberattack hits St. Paul
Farah Amod
Aug 14, 2025 10:51:07 AM

A cyberattack in the state’s capital has disrupted city systems and prompted emergency support from the National Guard.
What happened
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz activated the National Guard following a major cyberattack that struck the City of Saint Paul on Friday. While emergency services have not been impacted, the attack has disrupted online payment systems, library and recreation center services, and various municipal operations across the city.
City officials confirmed that some services may be delayed due to limited system access. The city is working with local, state, and federal agencies to investigate the incident and restore full functionality.
Going deeper
The attack persisted through the weekend, causing ongoing service outages and affecting digital infrastructure used to deliver main services to residents. In an emergency executive order signed on Tuesday, officials explained that the “scale and complexity” of the cyberattack exceeded both internal and commercial response capabilities.
As a result, the city formally requested cyber protection assistance from the Minnesota National Guard. The Guard’s cyber forces will assist in incident response, restoration of systems, and ensuring continuity of public services.
The Minnesota National Guard has a specialized cyber unit trained to respond to digital threats against government and infrastructure. Their deployment is intended to supplement the efforts of Minnesota IT Services and external cybersecurity vendors already involved in the response.
What was said
“We are committed to working alongside the City of Saint Paul to restore cybersecurity as quickly as possible,” Governor Walz stated. He said that the Guard’s cyber teams would coordinate with all levels of government to mitigate the effects of the breach.
An alert posted on the city’s website advises residents that some municipal systems remain offline or partially restored and thanks the public for its patience.
The big picture
According to CBS News, Lieutenant Colonel Brian Morgan of the Minnesota National Guard said, “Every user needs to be on guard all the time, basically,” warning that cyberattacks are becoming more sophisticated, especially with the rise of AI-driven deception. The St. Paul breach has left several city systems offline for over a week, prompting National Guard cyber forces to step in. The incident shows how local governments may struggle to recover from complex attacks without external support, proving the growing need for coordinated cyber response at the state level.
FAQs
What is the role of the National Guard in a cyber incident?
In states like Minnesota, the National Guard has dedicated cyber units trained to assist with identifying, containing, and recovering from cyberattacks on government and main systems.
What services are most affected in St. Paul right now?
Online payment systems and certain library and recreational services are currently down. Other city services may experience delays due to limited access to internal systems.
Does the activation of the National Guard indicate a national security risk?
Not necessarily. It typically means the scale of the attack has outpaced the city’s ability to manage it alone, not that it poses a national-level threat.
How long will it take to fully restore systems?
There’s no confirmed timeline yet. The city and state officials have stated that work is ongoing, but full restoration will depend on the complexity of the breach and how quickly systems can be secured.