Staff Reports
After a string of outages hit the 911 system in several states last week, concerns about possible cyber attacks on emergency call centers were reignited.
The Department of Homeland Security had previously warned about the threat of ransomware attacks on the Emergency Service Sector, and the recent outages seemed to confirm those warnings.
Authorities in South Dakota, Texas, Nebraska, and Nevada reported outages in their 911 systems. The specific cause of the outages was not immediately clear, but the fact that they occurred just after the DHS warning raised suspicions about potential cyber attacks.
Widespread 911 Outage Hits at Least 4 States Days After Department of Homeland Security Warning via @WestJournalism https://t.co/Hvp5GSssHt
— tim fucile (@TimFucile) April 18, 2024
In Nebraska, the 911 system was inoperable across most carriers, with T-Mobile being the only exception. Similarly, in Sin City (Las Vegas), the 911 system experienced a brief outage. Residents were able to text 911, but calling the number was not possible.
In Texas, the City of Del Rio Police Department experienced issues, but they indicated that the problem seemed to be limited to one major cellular carrier. Authorities recommended using a landline or another carrier if residents could not reach 911 via their mobile phones.
The South Dakota Department of Public Safety recommended that citizens should contact the non-emergency numbers for their local police and sheriff’s offices for assistance during the outage.
The Western Journal encourages its readers to consider adding the non-emergency numbers of local police and sheriff’s departments as contacts in their cellphones, should similar outages occur in the future.
While the outages are cause for concern, it’s important to remember that ultimate safety and security do not solely rely on technology. Faith in a higher power and gratitude for the Emergency Service Sector and the individuals who operate within it are essential in these uncertain times. It’s crucial to remain vigilant and prepared for any potential threats to the nation’s emergency response systems.
