Minnesota Activates National Guard After Saint Paul Cyberattack

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has mobilized the state’s National Guard after a cyberattack crippled Saint Paul’s municipal systems on July 25, 2025. City officials haven’t detailed the breach, but ongoing disruptions to public services forced the unprecedented move.

Breaking Down the St. Paul Cyberattack

Saint Paul, home to more than 300,000 residents, joins a growing list of major U.S. cities hit by ransomware gangs and hacking campaigns. The attack knocked government networks offline, interrupted city-wide Wi-Fi, and stalled vital services across the metro area.

National Guard Mobilized for Cyber Recovery

At the city’s request, Gov. Walz authorized National Guard cyber forces to step in, citing a “magnitude and complexity” beyond local capacity. These specialized teams will work side by side with city IT staff to contain threats, restore systems, and ensure continuity of essential operations.

Broader Trends and Implications

Municipalities have become prime targets for sophisticated cybercriminals seeking ransom payments or political leverage. When attackers breach critical infrastructure, the fallout can include compromised employee data, service outages, and erosion of public trust.

Building Resilience: Key Strategies

• Develop and regularly test incident response playbooks.
• Segment networks to limit attackers’ lateral movement.
• Deploy continuous monitoring and threat hunting.
• Conduct third-party security assessments and simulation drills.

The Saint Paul breach underscores the need for proactive cyber defenses tailored to the public sector. QuarkyByte’s deep-dive audits and real-time analytics can help government agencies detect hidden threats before they spread. By combining strategic guidance with hands-on support, we empower cities to bounce back swiftly and safeguard resident services.