Crow Wing Power and Crow Wing Power Credit Union wish to inform the public of a recent network security incident that was swiftly and effectively handled. On Sunday, June 2, the Department of Homeland Security, through the Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Department, contacted Crow Wing Power regarding a potential threat to our network.
Our IT department responded immediately by disconnecting the network from the internet to mitigate any potential risks. This prompt action allowed us to contain the threat effectively. Managers and the IT department collaborated closely with a cybersecurity team to investigate any possible impacts or threats.
Despite the incident, our Operations Department and line crews successfully managed storm-related outages that occurred on Sunday, June 2, and continued into Monday morning. Most importantly, our power distribution services were not interrupted, ensuring continuous service to our members throughout the event. This highlights our commitment to maintaining reliable service even in the face of unexpected challenges.
Throughout the week of June 3 to June 7, Crow Wing Power remained operational, though without internet access. Our teams performed their day-to-day operations with minimal disruption while the cybersecurity team conducted a comprehensive investigation. The investigation concluded on Friday, June 7, when internet access was restored. The cybersecurity team reported that although there was unauthorized access to our network, no data was accessed, nothing malicious was placed, and our power grid was safe. This success was largely due to the quick actions of our IT team.
Crow Wing Power takes cybersecurity very seriously. Our employees undergo information technology training throughout the year to identify phishing scams, recognize potential breaches, and adhere to best practices regarding sensitive data. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of data security to protect our network and members.
We want to assure our members and the public that we are continuously enhancing our cybersecurity measures and remain vigilant in protecting our infrastructure. We appreciate your understanding and continued support.