Maries County Courthouse in rural Missouri has been grappling with a persistent cyber attack that started as intermittent phone and internet issues at the end of last week. Maries County Emergency Management took to Facebook to announce the ongoing attack, noting that it escalated over the weekend.
Furthermore, the disruptions extended to administrative phones, 911 lines, radio communications, and MULES connectivity, posing a significant challenge for the courthouse’s operations. While only one 911 call experienced delays, the county stands prepared to issue CodeRED notifications and social media updates should the cyber attack resurface.
Shane Sweno, the county’s IT manager, expressed confidence that the attack has been brought under control, but the situation reached its peak on a Monday morning.
Calls to the courthouse during this time often rang without anyone on the line, and due to the use of IP-based phones, some calls were abruptly disconnected mid-conversation.
The incident highlighted the vulnerability of rural areas to such attacks, which can disrupt critical services and communications. Maries County officials are taking proactive measures to swiftly respond to any future cyber threats, ensuring the safety and efficiency of their operations.
