MUSCATINE, Iowa – The City of Muscatine Shieldware, Springbrook (financial) server, and the city server(s) were the victims of a ransomware attack at approximately 1 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 10. City of Muscatine IT staff along with other IT personnel have been working to isolate the ransomware and restore servers since that time.
Muscatine Police along with state and federal authorities are investigating the cyber-attack. More details will be released as they become available.
The City informed employees this afternoon that due to the cyber-attack that included the financial server, they will not be able to receive either direct deposits or paper checks on Friday.
Finance Director Nancy Lueck said that the target date to make these payments is Tuesday, Oct. 23, as the IT staff continues work to restore the system. Lueck also noted that employees can call the Finance Department Thursday afternoon or Friday morning to request a Hardship Advance Request.
More information will be released as it becomes available.
At the present time, the City believes that it will be able to show tonight’s City Council meeting live since that computer is outside of the network. The City Council meeting is normally shown on MPW Cable Channel 2 and on the City of Muscatine YouTube page.