Cyberattacks Disrupt Government Services Across Multiple U.S. States

Several local governments in the U.S. are struggling to restore services following a wave of cyberattacks. In Maryland, Anne Arundel County—home to nearly 600,000 residents and key federal institutions like the NSA—continues to face significant service disruptions more than a week after being targeted.

County officials confirmed that 911 and 311 emergency lines remain operational, but internet access was cut off to protect government systems, affecting tax payments, permits, and other public services. While no hacking group has claimed responsibility, authorities are investigating the incident with cybersecurity specialists.

The attack is part of a broader pattern of cyber threats impacting state and local governments. In recent weeks:

• Franklin County, Maine faced a ransomware attack in early February.
• Missouri’s Department of Conservation suffered outages from a cyberattack announced Friday.
• Cleveland, Ohio’s Municipal Court shut down all internal systems due to an incident last week, forcing the closure of its housing court and other essential services.

With services down and no clear timelines for recovery, these attacks highlight the growing risks facing public institutions and the urgent need for stronger cybersecurity defences.