A cyberattack struck the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) on Tuesday morning, November 19, causing a widespread phone system outage that continues to affect operations.
The attack, carried out by unidentified perpetrators, prompted immediate action from the MPRB's Information Technology Services team to contain potential damage. While phone lines remain non-operational as of November 22, the organization's website continues to function normally, allowing residents to access information about parks and recreational programs.
Initial assessments indicate that core systems handling program registrations and facility bookings were not compromised in the incident. The MPRB has launched an investigation to determine whether any sensitive data was accessed during the breach, though details about the specific nature of the attack have not been released.
During the ongoing disruption, residents requiring assistance from Park Police or Minneapolis Police are directed to contact 911 emergency services.
The incident highlights the growing challenge of cybersecurity threats facing public institutions. The MPRB has requested patience from community members as technical teams work to restore affected systems and strengthen security measures.
The organization joins a growing list of public and private entities that have faced similar cyber challenges in recent years, underscoring the need for robust digital security protocols in municipal services.