On Monday morning, Riley County faced a significant setback as its P25 public safety agency radio communication system experienced a disruption due to a cybersecurity incident. This unexpected loss of connectivity prompted emergency responders to swiftly switch to the backup state system for essential communications. In response to the crisis, the Riley County Board of County Commissioners held an urgent meeting to address the situation, ultimately declaring a local disaster emergency. This declaration empowered the county to seek additional communication transmission resources from the State of Kansas to mitigate the impact of the cyber incident on emergency response efforts.
The disruption in the radio communication system directly affected various emergency services within Riley County, including police, fire, and emergency medical services. Despite this setback, it’s crucial to note that the disruption did not extend to the county’s 911 systems. Dispatch operators maintained their ability to receive emergency calls, dispatch resources effectively, communicate with responders, and activate outdoor warning sirens as necessary. To ensure continuous communication among emergency response agencies, temporary measures were implemented, including the utilization of alternative radio channels while the root cause of the issue was being investigated.
Riley County’s response to the incident highlighted the importance of having robust backup systems and emergency protocols in place to handle unexpected disruptions effectively. The prompt action taken by local authorities underscores their commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of residents during times of crisis. As the investigation into the cybersecurity incident continues, Riley County officials remain focused on restoring normalcy to the affected communication systems and strengthening security measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
