The city of Mission, Texas, faced a significant cybersecurity breach that prompted a state of local disaster declaration. Mayor Norie Gonzalez Garza communicated the severity of the incident to Governor Greg Abbott, revealing that the city’s computer systems were vulnerable. The attack potentially exposed protected personal information, affecting all city departments, including critical services. Officials confirmed the breach began on February 28, sparking immediate concerns over the safety of sensitive data and city operations.
As a response to the breach, the city shut down part of its computer network to protect data integrity and prevent further damage.
The Mayor requested that Governor Abbott issue an emergency declaration under section 418.00 of the Texas Government Code. Such a declaration would activate emergency response plans and grant the necessary legal powers for aid and resources. This would help manage the disaster and begin the recovery process, addressing the widespread disruption caused by the attack.
The disaster declaration is in effect for seven days but can be extended based on the investigation’s findings and ongoing threat assessments. City Hall continues to operate, ensuring essential services are available while city officials investigate the breach. The declaration also triggers emergency preparedness plans to handle any immediate issues, including securing city networks and preventing future attacks.
This proactive response demonstrates the city’s commitment to protecting sensitive data and restoring its operations.
Mission’s police department was notably impacted, losing access to key state databases for tasks such as license plate checks. This further highlighted the breach’s reach and the risks it posed to the city’s public safety operations. The continued investigation aims to assess the full scope of the attack and implement effective countermeasures. As the situation evolves, city leaders remain focused on securing the network and restoring normal operations as quickly as possible.
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