Suisun City Declares Emergency After Cyberattack Hits 911 System

Suisun City in Northern California declared a state of emergency Saturday after malicious software shut down its entire IT network Friday morning at 5:45 a.m., disrupting 911 routing and emergency dispatch. The city of 30,000, located 55 miles north of San Francisco, rerouted emergency calls through the Solano County dispatch center while federal investigators assess the breach. Officials said no data theft or ransom demand has been disclosed, and public safety services remain operational.

How the attack unfolded

Malicious software infected Suisun City’s computer systems at approximately 5:45 a.m. on Friday, according to city officials. The attack compromised police and fire dispatch operations, 911 call routing, records, and other city services. City officials immediately shut down the entire IT network to contain the threat and preserve evidence for a federal investigation.

Emergency response and recovery efforts

Police and fire departments continue responding to calls through the Solano County dispatch center, with automatic transfers to Suisun City dispatchers. City Hall remains closed to the public as officials assess damage and restore systems department by department. Mayor Alma Hernandez said Monday that residents should continue using both emergency and non-emergency lines. The Police Department lobby operates Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., for ticket sign-offs and general assistance.

Federal investigation and suspected threat actors

The FBI, Department of Homeland Security, and California Office of Emergency Services are investigating the incident. Federal agencies believe the attack may be affiliated with Iran, which has targeted water and wastewater systems in at least seven states. The attack marks the first known incident in Solano County where a cyberattack directly compromised local public safety IT infrastructure, signaling a new frontier for attackers targeting emergency communications.

Broader cybersecurity threat to municipalities

The Suisun City breach reflects growing threats to essential services across the country. Late last month, the FBI, Environmental Protection Agency, and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency warned that Iran-affiliated hackers were remotely accessing infrastructure for water and wastewater systems to cause disruptive effects. Smaller communities depend on internet-connected automated systems, many lacking robust defenses against sophisticated attacks targeting critical infrastructure.

Final Thoughts

The Suisun City attack exposes vulnerabilities in municipal emergency systems nationwide. As federal investigators pursue Iran-linked hackers, cities face pressure to harden defenses against cyberattacks on 911 dispatch and public safety operations. The incident underscores why cyber insurance and infrastructure resilience have become essential for local governments.

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