Unforeseen Network Security Mishap Triggers Shutdown of Nevada's State Offices and Services

The State of Nevada is currently experiencing a network security incident, as confirmed by the Office of the Governor on August 25. This incident has led to the closure of government offices and digital services, with agencies announcing when their counters will reopen when the situation stabilizes.

In a statement, Ade Clewlow, associate director and senior advisor at NCC Group, emphasized the importance of building resilience in government networks to absorb the impact of attacks, maintain essential services, and return to normal operations swiftly. Strong defenses, rapid recovery, robust contingency planning, and clear communication are key to safeguarding communities during cyber-attacks.

Residents of Nevada have been advised to be cautious of unsolicited calls, emails, or texts requesting personal information or payments, especially from anyone claiming to be a State representative. State websites and phone lines may be intermittently unavailable.

The exact date of the network security incident in Nevada is not specified, but the State immediately initiated 24/7 recovery efforts after identifying the incident on early Sunday morning. State employees were placed on administrative leave on Monday 25 August, but many returned to work the next day. The cause of the network security incident has not been officially disclosed.

Meanwhile, the City of St. Paul, Minnesota is experiencing ongoing impacts on its services due to a cyber-attack. The City refused the attackers' payment demands and the Interlock ransomware gang is reported to have stolen and published data from Council systems in St. Paul, including employee personal details.

The incident comes amidst a rise in ransomware attacks targeting government bodies. Ade Clewlow observed a 23% rise in such attacks between 2023 and 2024, while Comparitech recorded a 60% year-over-year rise in ransomware attacks targeting government in H1 2025.

In a related development, the US federal court case filing system was breached by threat actors in August. The Administrative Office of the United States Courts (AOUSC) announced enhanced security measures as a result of the breach.

Emergency call-taking and essential services remain available statewide in Nevada, and residents are urged to stay informed through official channels for updates on the situation. It is also important to note that there is currently no evidence that any personally identifiable information was compromised in the incident.

Unforeseen Network Security Mishap Triggers Shutdown of Nevada's State Offices and Services