City, county, and state staff conduct mock cybersecurity threat exercise

Cyberattacks are an everyday occurrence. Thankfully, due to precautions and protections put in place, many cyber threats directed at businesses and other organizations are unsuccessful. But even sophisticated cybersecurity systems and measures cannot fully protect an organization. We have all seen how cyberattacks, through phishing and other tactics, can have devastating consequences.

To better prepare for an event like this, representatives from both Olmsted County and the City of Rochester, as well as the State of Minnesota, participated in a tabletop exercise on July 23, 2025, led by an official from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). During this exercise, city, county, and state staff discussed a cyberattack scenario that would have a wide impact on government operations.

These types of exercises are held regularly to ensure collaboration and strengthened relationships between individuals who would be working together closely during this type of situation. These discussions are helpful in identifying gaps and areas where teams can be proactive in developing solutions to potential issues before they occur.

Participants in the session included representatives from law enforcement; Emergency Management; Information Technology; Communications; Public Works; and Health, Housing, and Human Services.