A ransomware attack in the early hours of Thursday has knocked out key computer systems in Foster City, forcing officials to temporarily pause most public services that are not related to emergencies. City leaders are urging residents to stay calm, stressing that 911 and police dispatch are still fully operational while IT staff and outside consultants work to restore systems.
In a press release from the City of Foster City, officials said ransomware was detected on the city's networks yesterday, and confirmed that public services outside of emergency responses have been temporarily paused." The city also warned that "it is possible that public information has been accessed and said investigations are underway. According to the release, the City Manager’s Office is preparing a local state of emergency declaration to help secure outside financial support and technical assistance.
Services and emergency response
According to the San Mateo Daily Journal, emergency services, including 911 and police dispatch, remain functional and are not affected by the breach. The outlet reported that city staff are working with outside cybersecurity experts to restore impacted systems. So far, officials have not released a detailed list of which public-facing services are currently offline, leaving residents to contend with some uncertainty while the digital dust settles.
Officials' message and next steps
"The public’s safety is our highest priority, so we encourage members of our community to take precautions that would best assure the security of their personal information," City Manager Stefan Chatwin said in the city's press release. The release also notes that Foster City staff, alongside external cybersecurity consultants, are working diligently to restore the integrity of the City’s system and ensure there are no additional security issues affecting services. Officials directed media questions to Communications Manager Austin Walsh and asked residents to keep an eye on the city's Facebook and X channels for ongoing updates.
What residents should do now
Out of what the San Mateo Daily Journal described as an abundance of caution, anyone who has done business with Foster City is being urged to change passwords and take standard steps to protect their personal data. Emergencies should still go to 911 as usual. For nonurgent municipal needs, residents should be prepared for delays until systems are restored and are advised to follow official city channels for the latest information.
