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Minnesota National Guard Responds to Winona County Cyberattack

Minnesota National Guard Responds to Winona County Cyberattack

First seen 7 May 2026, 11:13 UTC • •

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ThreatCluster AI
ThreatCluster •May 8, 2026 at 11:08 UTC
  • •Winona County faced a ransomware attack on April 6, 2026, disrupting critical services.
  • •Governor Walz authorized the Minnesota National Guard to assist in recovery efforts.
  • •This is the second cyberattack on Winona County in three months, highlighting ongoing vulnerabilities.

Winona County, Minnesota, experienced a ransomware attack on April 6, 2026, disrupting critical systems and digital services. Governor Tim Walz issued an emergency order to deploy the Minnesota National Guard's cyber protection team to assist in recovery efforts. This incident marks the second cyberattack on the county within three months, with the first occurring in January. The current attack has significantly impaired the county's ability to deliver essential municipal services. The National Guard's involvement aims to enhance recovery speed and strengthen cybersecurity measures. The FBI is investigating the incident, but local resources were insufficient to manage the attack. Winona County officials are also working with external cybersecurity experts to address vulnerabilities and prevent future incidents.

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Timeline

2026-04-06
Ransomware attack detected in Winona County
Critical systems and digital services were disrupted, prompting an emergency response from state officials.
FDD
2026-05-04
Emergency order issued by Governor Walz
Walz authorized the National Guard to assist Winona County due to the scale of the cyberattack.
statescoop.com
2026-05-06
National Guard deployment confirmed
Fifteen soldiers from the Minnesota National Guard were deployed to aid in recovery efforts.
FDD
2026-05-07
Ongoing recovery efforts reported
Winona County officials reported that emergency services are still operational despite the attack.
CBS News

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