Nationwide CodeRED cyberattack hits local counties

DETROIT LAKES, Minn. (KVRR-KFGO) – Several counties are warning residents about a cyberattack to the CodeRED emergency notification system.

The Becker County Sheriff’s Office says it was a nationwide hack and data breach. Beltrami, Wadena and Wilkin Counties have issued similar notices to their residents.

The CodeRED system sends time-sensitive alerts during severe weather, public safety threats and other emergencies.

The compromised data includes contact information of CodeRED users, including names, addresses, email addresses, phone numbers and associated passwords.

Due to the severity of the breach, the Becker County Sheriff’s Office is transitioning its emergency alert system to the new Crisis24 platform. Wadena County says they are also making the transition.

“This migration is being implemented to ensure the highest level of security and reliability for our residents’ emergency notifications,” Sheriff Todd Glander said.

During the transition period to the new platform, partner agencies with emergency alerting capabilities will continue to issue Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) on behalf of the counties affected by the cyberattack to ensure uninterrupted coverage.

If you were signed up for the CodeRED alert system, it’s recommended you change any usernames or passwords on other accounts that are similar to those used for CodeRED profiles.

CodeRED has confirmed the decommissioning of its affected platform and has reported no evidence that compromised user information has been used for identity theft or fraud at this time.