Jackson County, Missouri, was hit by a disruptive ransomware attack on April 2, 2024, impacting essential county services.

The cyberattack specifically targeted county employees through phishing emails, leading to the shutdown of key government offices.

Critical resident financial data remains secure, as it is managed by an external, trusted partner despite the IT breach.

A state of emergency has been declared, and the county is actively engaging with law enforcement and cybersecurity professionals to address the incident.

Affected offices are expected to be closed until at least Friday, April 5, as the county enacts measures to enhance security and employee awareness.

The county emphasizes the importance of vigilance against cyber threats and shares preventative advice with the public.