OnSolve, the parent company of the widely used CodeRED emergency alert platform, proactively shut down the service after detecting a cyberattack. The company identified unusual activity on its network and took certain systems offline as a precautionary measure to secure its environment and investigate the incident.
The CodeRED platform is a critical communication tool used by thousands of public and commercial clients across North America, including cities, counties, and state government agencies, to deliver time-sensitive emergency notifications to residents. These alerts can include severe weather warnings, evacuation notices, and missing person alerts.
Incident Response and Investigation
Upon detecting the security event, OnSolve immediately launched an investigation. The company engaged third-party cybersecurity experts to assist in assessing the extent of the incident and to help with the restoration process. In its official statements, OnSolve confirmed that it took the CodeRED platform offline to protect its systems and client data.
The company also notified law enforcement about the cyberattack. OnSolve has been in communication with its affected customers, providing them with updates on the situation and the ongoing efforts to bring the CodeRED service back online securely. The shutdown prevented clients from sending new alerts through the platform while the investigation and remediation were underway.
Impact on Emergency Communications
The service outage directly impacted the ability of government agencies to issue mass notifications to the public. The CodeRED system functions by sending alerts via phone calls, text messages, and emails to registered users within a specific geographic area. The precautionary shutdown meant this vital public safety infrastructure was temporarily unavailable for its intended purpose.
OnSolve has stated that its priority is the safe and secure restoration of its services. The company’s response team has been working to bring the systems back online. The incident underscores the vulnerabilities of critical infrastructure systems to cyber threats and the immediate impact such attacks can have on public safety operations.
Concise Cyber 