The City of Killeen, Texas, is actively working to recover from a significant cyberattack that struck on August 7, 2024. The attack, attributed to the BlackSuit Ransomware group, primarily affected internal city systems and caused temporary disruptions in essential services, particularly within the Utility Collections division. As a result of the breach, residents may experience delays in service and are advised to use alternative payment methods or visit in person for transactions. For new resident services, transfer, or restorations, citizens are instructed to contact the Utility Collections line at (254) 501-7800, which also serves as the After-Hours service line.
In the wake of the cyber intrusion, Killeen’s IT department acted swiftly to secure its systems and prevent further unauthorized access. Key actions included disabling the utility customer service payment system to protect against data breaches and employing backup systems to restore affected services. The city is working closely with the Texas Department of Information Resources to address and mitigate the impacts of the attack, ensuring that all systems are fortified against future threats.
Despite the disruptions, the City of Killeen has stated that there is currently no evidence suggesting that personal or financial information of residents has been compromised. However, the city has urged residents to monitor their financial accounts vigilantly as a precaution. Any suspicious activity should be reported to their respective banks or financial institutions to safeguard against potential fraud.
The City of Killeen has committed to restoring full functionality of its systems as swiftly as possible and will continue to provide updates on the recovery process. In a statement, the City emphasized its commitment to protecting the information and services crucial to the community and expressed gratitude for the public’s patience and understanding during this challenging situation. The City’s swift response and ongoing efforts underscore its dedication to maintaining the security and integrity of its operations amid the ongoing recovery.
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