Minnesota National Guard Activated After Winona County Cyberattack

Severity: Medium (Score: 51.9)

Sources: Kttc, Thecyberexpress

Summary

A cyberattack on Winona County, Minnesota, began on April 6, 2026, and continued into April 7, disrupting critical municipal and emergency services. Governor Tim Walz authorized the Minnesota National Guard to assist in the response due to the attack's significant impact on the county's ability to deliver essential services. Local officials reported that the attack overwhelmed their response capabilities, prompting a multi-agency collaboration including the FBI and cybersecurity specialists. The nature of the attack has not been disclosed, but it has been confirmed that emergency services like 911 are still operational despite the disruptions. Recovery efforts are ongoing, and residents have been advised to expect delays in non-emergency services as systems are restored. Key Points: • Winona County experienced a significant cyberattack starting April 6, 2026. • The Minnesota National Guard has been activated to assist in recovery efforts. • Emergency services remain operational, but other county services are experiencing delays.

Key Entities

• Ransomware (attack_type)
• Winona County (company)