MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The State of Alabama is actively investigating a cybersecurity event that has disrupted several state-run digital systems. The breach was first detected Friday evening, according to a statement from Governor Kay Ivey’s Office, and efforts are underway to assess and restore affected operations.

The Office of Information Technology (OIT) confirmed Monday that it is partnering with a third-party cybersecurity firm to contain the event, investigate the source, and bring impacted systems back online safely.

What Is Known So Far

The nature and origin of the cybersecurity incident remain under investigation, but temporary disruptions to state websites, email services, and phone communication have been reported.

“The security and reliability of our systems is a top priority. Temporary disruptions such as website accessibility, as well as email and phone communication, may occur, but our teams are actively working to establish a timetable and to ensure continuity of essential services to minimize any impact,” said a spokesperson from the Office of Gov. Kay Ivey.

While specific systems affected were not publicly disclosed, the state emphasized that essential services will remain operational throughout the recovery process.

Possible Data Compromises

Initial findings suggest that some state employee usernames and passwords were compromised in the breach. However, officials say there is no current evidence indicating that personally identifiable information (PII) of Alabama residents has been accessed or stolen.

“While some state employee usernames and passwords were compromised, it is currently believed that no Alabamian’s personally identifiable information has been retrieved,” Gov. Ivey’s office stated.

In the meantime, all state workers have been urged to remain vigilant, particularly when handling emails, to avoid phishing attempts and other forms of digital exploitation that could follow a breach.

State’s Response and Recovery

The Alabama Office of Information Technology has taken immediate steps to isolate affected networks and systems. With assistance from cybersecurity experts, the state aims to:

• Identify the threat actor or group behind the breach
• Determine the full scope of the intrusion
• Restore all digital services with enhanced security protocols
• Monitor for ongoing threats and vulnerabilities

The investigation involves forensic analysis and may take several days or longer depending on the complexity and size of the breach.

Guidance for State Employees and Citizens

Although public-facing services may face temporary slowdowns or outages, officials are committed to maintaining continuity of government operations. State employees have been provided internal guidance on:

• Changing passwords immediately
• Avoiding suspicious links and attachments
• Reporting unusual system behavior or communications

As an added precaution, the public is encouraged to access state services through verified official websites and avoid third-party platforms or unauthorized apps during this period.

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Context: Government Cybersecurity on High Alert

This incident is part of a larger trend of cybersecurity threats targeting government infrastructure nationwide. Attacks on state and municipal systems have increased significantly in recent years, with hackers often targeting sensitive databases and communication tools.

According to the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), government agencies should maintain a “heightened state of awareness” amid global cyber tensions and increasingly sophisticated threats from criminal and nation-state actors.

The State of Alabama has not confirmed whether the event was ransomware-related or the result of another form of attack, such as credential stuffing, supply chain compromise, or network intrusion.

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What Happens Next?

Investigations are ongoing, and officials say a more detailed update will be released once the source and scope of the breach are fully understood.

In the meantime, the Governor’s Office and OIT will continue to collaborate with cybersecurity specialists to enhance defenses and minimize any long-term impact on the public and state operations.

Residents and stakeholders are encouraged to monitor updates through official government channels:

• Office of Governor Kay Ivey
• Alabama Office of Information Technology
• CISA Alerts & Advisories

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