Ransomware Disrupts Public Services in Ohio, Oklahoma, and Puerto Rico

Government operations in Ohio, Oklahoma, and Puerto Rico have recently been hit by separate ransomware attacks, causing widespread service interruptions and triggering emergency responses.

Durant, Oklahoma—a city of around 20,000—confirmed that a cyberattack had taken down its website and several online services, including payment systems. The local police department also reported network outages, which have led to delays in non-emergency communication. Officials are working with investigators to assess the damage and restore digital systems.

Meanwhile, Abilene, another Oklahoma city, is still recovering from a major attack in April. Hackers claimed to have stolen nearly 500GB of data affecting over 100,000 residents. The city has opted not to pay the ransom and is rebuilding its IT systems from scratch.

In Ohio, Lorain County experienced a cyber incident that forced the shutdown of numerous government platforms, including parts of the court system. While emergency services stayed online, disruptions affected daily operations. This follows other high-profile breaches in Cleveland and Columbus in recent months.

Puerto Rico’s Department of Justice also confirmed a breach impacting its Criminal Justice Information Office. Though specifics are limited, some public services have been suspended as a precaution while systems are secured.

These attacks are part of a broader pattern targeting public-sector organisations, including Native American governments in other states. Cybercriminal groups like RansomHub have claimed involvement in similar incidents.

Security professionals warn that without stronger digital defences, incident response plans, and interagency coordination, these types of disruptions will continue to pose serious threats to essential public services.