Wayne County, Michigan, home to Detroit and 1.75 million residents, is grappling with a significant cyberattack that has disrupted various government services and taken all county websites offline. As officials work to restore functionality, essential services such as online tax payments, real estate transactions, and jail inmate processing have been severely impacted.

The cyberattack, which began earlier this week, has drawn the involvement of the FBI and Michigan State Police in the investigation, with initial reports indicating it may be a ransomware attack.

This latest attack is part of a larger wave of cyberattacks that have hit Michigan municipalities and healthcare systems, including Ascension and McLaren, which were forced to limit operations earlier this year. As ransomware continues to pose a serious threat to public institutions in 2024, officials are working on contingency plans.

However, the scale and impact of the attack remain under investigation.

Why It Matters: This cyberattack underscores the increasing vulnerability of public institutions to ransomware and the profound impact it can have on essential government operations. As critical services like tax payments and judicial processes grind to a halt, residents endure delays and frustrations, while government efforts are redirected toward damage control. The Wayne County incident is part of a growing national trend, with recent cyberattacks paralyzing other municipalities like Pensacola, Florida, and Wichita, Kansas—both of which faced significant service disruptions.

• Government Services Disrupted: Wayne County’s government websites were taken offline, affecting key services like online tax payments and property records access. Additionally, the court system and jail processes have been hampered, with delays in bonding out inmates and scheduling defense attorney visits.

• Cybersecurity Investigation Ongoing: Wayne County officials, in collaboration with the FBI and Michigan State Police, are actively investigating the scope of the cyberattack. While officials have not yet confirmed the nature of the attack, initial reports point to ransomware as a likely cause.

• Widespread Impact: Offices like the Wayne County Treasurer’s and Register of Deeds have struggled to maintain operations, and the judicial system has faced major disruptions. The Sheriff’s Office reported difficulty processing inmates, underscoring the attack’s extensive reach.

• Preceding Cyberattacks in Michigan: This incident is not isolated—Flint and Traverse City experienced similar ransomware attacks earlier in the year, and major Michigan-based hospital systems were also affected by cyber incidents. These recurring threats underline the escalating risk to public sector systems in the state.

Go Deeper -> Michigan’s Largest County Suffers Cyberattack – State Scoop

Detroit-Area Government Services Impacted by Cyberattack – The Record