The City of Long Beach has recently issued updates on the network security incident dating back to November 14, 2023, which involved unauthorized access to its network. Residents whose personal information may have been compromised are being notified and offered complimentary credit-monitoring services. As reported by officials, there have been no signs of the information being utilized for fraudulent purposes.
Notification to the affected parties commenced on April 14, 2025, informed Mayor Rex Richardson. The approach, intending to provide individuals with the necessary tools and resources, adheres to the commitment of data protection and transparency promised by the City. "Data security is of the utmost importance, and we are committed to protecting the data that our community entrust to us," Richardson said, addressing the severity of the incident and ensuring ongoing transparency.
Following the incident, Long Beach has conducted an extensive forensic investigation alongside external cybersecurity professionals, concluding on March 18. They determined that data, including names, social security numbers, financial information, and medical records, may have been accessed or acquired. The breadth of personal information involved varied by individual and did not affect every data element for all individuals implicated, as per the City's disclosure.
A dedicated call center has been set up to assist those impacted, operating from Monday through Friday. Staffed with professionals equipped with details on the incident, they are ready to guide individuals on protective measures against potential misuse of information. The call center number, established as a resource, will not ask for personal information such as Social Security numbers, the City has ensured, when people call in for assistance.
Long Beach has additionally taken steps to bolster its cybersecurity through a $1 million investment as part of its Adopted Fiscal Year 2025 Budget. With ongoing efforts that include extensive training and the utilization of data loss prevention tools, the city is bent on minimizing future risks similar to this cybersecurity event.
For further information regarding the incident, the City's website features a Network Security Incident webpage, which provides a comprehensive overview and has an updated list of Frequently Asked Questions available in multiple languages. "While thankfully there's no indication of any fraudulent activity as a result of this unauthorized access, we understand this news may resurface concern and angst for our residents, employees and stakeholders," City Manager Tom Modica told the City's official website.
