Baltimore Hit with Hack on 911 System

Baltimore has been hacked, but you couldn't call 911 — it was the target. Systems were attacked over the weekend, leading to a disruption in the automated dispatch system in the city. The police department was quick to say that no calls went unanswered as staff switched over to manual dispatching, but the hack did show that critical systems continue to be vulnerable to criminal hacking.

The system attacked is the one that automatically places caller information into forms and on a mapping system, allowing for faster response time, especially for callers who are confused, injured, or unsure of their location. The Baltimore police reported that the system was back online around 2:00 a.m. on March 26.

Details about the attacker are still unknown, with police officials citing the ongoing investigation as a reason to keep details away from the public.

Baltimore's attack is the latest in a series of hacks on municipal systems. In Atlanta, residents are unable to pay water bills, and officials are still filling out paper forms after a ransomware attack hit government offices late last week.

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