Ransomware Attack Disrupts Minot Water Treatment Plant Operations
A ransomware attack targeted a computer server at the Minot Water Treatment Plant in North Dakota on March 14, according to an internal letter dated March 31. The incident was disclosed by City Manager Tom Joyce, who confirmed the attack to the city council.
The affected server was immediately taken offline, forcing plant staff to rely on manual procedures for approximately 16 hours a more labor-intensive process. Despite the disruption, city officials emphasized that the water supply remained safe and operational throughout, with no impact on water pressure or storage facilities.
Unlike typical ransomware incidents, the attackers did not demand payment or engage in further communication beyond a message displayed on the compromised system. The city has since identified areas for improvement, including enhanced training, communication protocols, and preventative system design.
Authorities have not publicly disclosed why the incident was not immediately reported. The FBI has been contacted for comment, though no further details have been released. The city of Minot has not provided additional statements at this time.
Source: https://www.kfyrtv.com/2026/03/31/minot-water-treatment-plant-hit-by-ransomware-water-remained-safe/
City of Minot cybersecurity rating report: https://www.rankiteo.com/company/city-of-minot
Minot Area Development Corporation cybersecurity rating report: https://www.rankiteo.com/company/minot-area-development-corporation
"id": "CITMIN1775024825",
"linkid": "city-of-minot, minot-area-development-corporation",
"type": "Ransomware",
"date": "3/2026",
"severity": "100",
"impact": "7",
"explanation": "Attack that could injure or kill people"{'affected_entities': [{'industry': 'Utilities',
'location': 'Minot, North Dakota, USA',
'name': 'Minot Water Treatment Plant',
'type': 'Water Treatment Plant'}],
'date_detected': '2024-03-14',
'date_publicly_disclosed': '2024-03-31',
'description': 'A ransomware attack targeted a computer server at the Minot '
'Water Treatment Plant in North Dakota on March 14. The '
'affected server was immediately taken offline, forcing plant '
'staff to rely on manual procedures for approximately 16 '
'hours. The water supply remained safe and operational '
'throughout the incident.',
'impact': {'downtime': '16 hours',
'operational_impact': 'Forced reliance on manual procedures',
'systems_affected': 'Computer server at water treatment plant'},
'lessons_learned': 'Enhanced training, communication protocols, and '
'preventative system design needed',
'references': [{'source': 'Internal letter from City Manager Tom Joyce'}],
'response': {'containment_measures': 'Affected server taken offline',
'law_enforcement_notified': 'FBI contacted for comment'},
'title': 'Ransomware Attack Disrupts Minot Water Treatment Plant Operations',
'type': 'Ransomware'}