The city of Coeur d’Alene faced a cybersecurity incident as it announced the detection of malware in its computer network. In response, affected systems were taken offline to ensure the secure restoration of services. This precautionary measure impacted city services, rendering the website inaccessible, and causing the city’s phone system to go offline. Coeur d’Alene’s mayor, Jim Hammond, confirmed the disruptions and urged residents to expect delays while assuring that 911 and emergency resources remained operational.
The Coeur d’Alene Police Department also faced technical issues, disrupting administrative and regular business calls. Emergency and nonemergency calls, handled by Kootenai County dispatch, were unaffected. The city actively monitored the situation, collaborating with third-party cybersecurity and data forensics consultants, and following industry best practices. David Vosen, a cybersecurity instructor, emphasized that such attacks on government agencies are common, citing their vulnerability due to the necessity to share information and resources with constituents.
