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Cyberattack Knocks Out Non-Emergency Lines in Pepperell Public-Safety Systems

External investigators are mapping the damage to guide service restoration.

Overview

  • Town officials said the attack, identified early Tuesday, struck computer systems for Pepperell, the Patriot Regional Emergency Communications Center, and local police and fire.
  • The 911 system remains fully operational, and other departments can still reach the dispatch center through mutual-aid channels to keep emergency responses on track.
  • Business phone lines for Pepperell Fire and the regional dispatch center are down, so residents should use 978-433-2671 for non-emergency needs or call 911 for emergencies.
  • The town engaged its insurer, outside cybersecurity firms, and state and federal law enforcement to find the cause, contain the damage, and begin restoring affected services.
  • Officials report no evidence that private user information has been shared, with forensic work underway to determine what data, if any, was accessed.