When the Lights Went Out: Nevada's Public Services After the August 24 Cyber Incident

How a statewide cyber incident disrupted services—and what it means for Nevadans.

It started quietly on Sunday, August 24. By mid-morning, the silence was loud: state websites were unreachable, services froze, and Nevadans who expected routine business at the DMV or other agencies were left staring at error screens. It wasn't an earthquake, but the disruption hit just as hard.

What We Know So Far

The Governor's Technology Office confirmed that a network security incident forced critical systems offline. Websites wouldn't load, phone lines faltered, and in-person counters across state offices had to suspend services.

By Monday, the impact widened. Offices closed entirely, employees were placed on administrative leave, and the state shifted into containment mode. Through it all, one reassurance stood out: 911 and emergency dispatch systems remained operational.

Is It Ransomware?

Officials haven't confirmed ransomware, but the signs are there. The scale of the outage, the need for careful step-by-step restoration, and the timing all suggest a ransomware-style attack.

The good news: so far, there's no evidence that personal information was stolen. That's critical for Nevadans worried about identity theft or fraud.

How the State Is Responding

Nevada isn't standing alone here. The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the FBI are assisting with the investigation and recovery. State IT teams are validating each system one by one before bringing them back online, prioritizing safety over speed.

Temporary workarounds are being built where possible, but for now, many services remain paused until the networks are cleared and secured.

What It Means for Nevadans

• Emergency services are safe. If you need help, call 911-those lines are secure.

• Plan for delays. DMV appointments and other in-person services are suspended. Once reopened, the DMV will honor missed appointments as walk-ins for two weeks.

• Watch for scams. The Governor's office has been clear: they will never ask for your bank details, passwords, or payments by email or phone. If you get those calls, assume they're fraudulent.

Why This Matters

This isn't just a temporary headache; it's a warning. Nevada's government systems, like those across the country, are high-value targets. Lawmakers had already been exploring a statewide security operations center to strengthen defenses. After this incident, those plans will likely move from "idea" to "urgent."

The questions ahead are big ones:

• Was any data actually stolen?

• How did attackers get in-phishing, outdated software, or something else?

• When will all public services return to normal?

A Nevada Strong Reflection

This was no ordinary outage-and nothing like we've ever seen. The blackout of government services was deeply disruptive-but it also showcased Nevada's resilience and commitment to getting back online, safely.

In a time when digital infrastructure is as essential as power and water, our systems need rock-solid defenses and emergency-proof contingency plans. Above all, this incident reminds us: security is community well-being.

We'll be following Nevada's recovery closely, and I'll be here to translate every update for you. Let's stay informed, stay safe, and stay ready.