Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González
Texas Border Business |
March 6, 2025– MISSION, TX – The City of Mission has declared a local state of disaster following a severe cybersecurity incident that has placed the city’s entire computer server at risk of a cyberattack. The potential breach threatens to expose protected personal information, health records, civil and criminal records, and other critical data managed by city departments.
The emergency declaration, issued by Mayor Norie Gonzalez Garza on March 4, 2025, comes just days after the initial cyber threat was identified on February 28, 2025. In an urgent letter to Governor Greg Abbott, the mayor requested that the state step in and provide support, citing the magnitude and severity of the attack.
City Requests State Emergency Aid
In the letter sent to Governor Abbott, Mayor Garza stated:
“I have determined that this incident is of such severity and magnitude that extraordinary measures must be taken to alleviate the immeasurable and imminent cybersecurity incident. Pursuant to §418.00 of the Texas Government Code, I am requesting that you declare a state of emergency for the City of Mission, Texas, and issue appropriate directives to deal with the emergency.”
Additionally, the mayor urged the state to issue successive emergency proclamations until the situation is fully under control.
City officials fear that sensitive government data could be compromised, potentially leading to identity theft, disruption of city services, and legal complications if the breach is not contained. The city has activated its Emergency Management Plan to mitigate potential damage and coordinate with cybersecurity experts.
The disaster declaration will remain in effect for seven days unless renewed or extended by the Mission City Council. During this period, the city is expected to implement heightened security protocols, system monitoring, and emergency response measures to counter the cyber threat.
The Texas Border Business reported on the cybersecurity crisis yesterday, bringing public attention to what could be one of the most significant digital security threats to hit the Rio Grande Valley in recent years.
While the exact nature of the cyberattack has not been disclosed, cybersecurity analysts warn that municipalities nationwide have become prime targets for ransomware attacks and data breaches. If confirmed as an active cyberattack, this could have major financial and operational repercussions for the city government.
Residents and businesses in Mission are urged to stay alert and monitor their personal accounts for any unusual activity as the city works to secure its systems. Officials have not yet confirmed whether any private citizen data has been leaked but are expected to provide updates as investigations continue.
The Governor’s Office has yet to respond to the request for state-level emergency intervention. Meanwhile, the City of Mission continues to assess the full scope of the cyber threat and implement urgent countermeasures.
For continued coverage and updates on this developing story, stay tuned to Texas Border Business.
See below Letter and Proclamation
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