A cybersecurity attack affects several Massachusetts towns that share an emergency communications center. The cyberattack affecting the Patriot Regional Emergency Communications Center and related cities was identified early Tuesday, according to statements from the affected cities. The cities of Ashby, Dunstable, Pepperell and Townsend also said that their police and fire departments were affected by the attack, to varying degrees. Environmental communications center in Pepperell. Groton police, who are also served by a regional communications center, posted alerts on social media that the department’s business lines were unavailable, though those statements did not specifically refer to a cyberattack. According to statements from Pepperell and Townsend, leaders have asked insurance providers, cybersecurity experts and federal and state law enforcement for help. They are now working to find out which details could be compromised. “We immediately contacted our insurance carrier and a reputable outside cybersecurity agency to respond and mitigate this attack,” Pepperell City Manager Andrew MacLean said in a statement. “We will prioritize public awareness as we move forward with this process under the guidance of industry experts.” The cities said first responders could continue to respond to emergency calls, officials said. According to a statement from Dunstable officials, there is no evidence that any systems managed by the community were directly affected by the theft.
A cybersecurity attack affects several Massachusetts towns that share an emergency communications center.
A cyberattack involving the Patriot Emergency Communications Center and related cities was identified earlier Tuesday, according to statements from the affected cities.
The towns of Ashby, Dunstable, Pepperell and Townsend also said their police and fire departments were affected by the attack, to varying degrees. Environmental communications center in Pepperell.
Groton police, who are also served by a regional communications center, posted alerts on social media that the department’s business lines were unavailable, though those statements did not specifically refer to a cyberattack.
According to statements from Pepperell and Townsend, leaders have asked insurance providers, cybersecurity experts and federal and state law enforcement for help. They are now working to find out which details could be damaged.
“We immediately contacted our insurance carrier and a reputable outside cybersecurity agency to respond and mitigate this attack,” said Pepperell City Manager Andrew MacLean. “We will prioritize public awareness as we move forward with this process under the guidance of industry experts.”
The cities said first responders could continue to respond to emergency calls, officials said.
“The 911 call system continues to operate as normal, and at this time there is no evidence that confidential user information has been shared,” Pepperell and Townsend said.
According to a statement from Dunstable officials, there is no evidence that any systems managed by the community were directly affected by the theft.
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