NOTIFICATION OF CYBER INCIDENT

This is to inform you that Washburn County is currently responding to a cyber incident that is under investigation. As part of that investigation, the county is working to determine the nature and scope of the activity.

Upon becoming aware of the activity on the morning of August 6, 2026, the county immediately initiated its incident response procedures and took steps to protect county systems and data while beginning a thorough investigation. The county is working closely with qualified cybersecurity professionals and other appropriate partners to investigate the activity, assess any potential impact, and safely restore affected technology services.

To support the county’s response and help ensure the safe operation of county services, the county has made the decision to shut down county technology on August 6, 2026. This decision allows county personnel and incident response specialists to continue assessing affected technology systems while minimizing disruption to county operations.

During this time, staff and the public may experience temporary disruptions to certain county services that rely on internet access or communications via county phone lines. The court system and county offices remain open to the public at this time.

The county is actively working to safely restore impacted technology services as they can be appropriately returned to operation. Additional security measures have also been implemented to help reduce the risk of further disruption while the investigation continues.

At this time, the investigation remains ongoing, and we are limited in the information we can provide. While we understand the desire for immediate answers, it is important that any information shared is accurate and based on verified facts. We are committed to providing timely updates as additional information becomes available.

At this time, there is no action required by staff or the public. If the investigation determines that personal information was affected, or that additional steps are recommended or required, the county will communicate directly with impacted individuals and provide appropriate guidance.

Please continue to monitor the county’s official communication channels for updates regarding county operations and this investigation. We will be using our website: www.co.washburn.wi.us for updates – notification of any meeting changes will continue to be listed there as well. In addition, we ask that any calls be directed to 911 and they will be routed to the appropriate department until phone service is restored. Updates will also be sent to media outlets as requested.

Protecting the physical and digital safety and security of our staff and constituents remains our highest priority. We recognize the trust that staff and public place in us and appreciate your patience and understanding as we work diligently to investigate this matter, safely restore services, and determine whether any additional actions are necessary.

We apologize for any inconvenience this situation may cause and will continue to provide updates as appropriate throughout the investigation.

Lolita Olson,

Board Chair Washburn County