Anne Arundel County, Maryland—home to several key federal agencies, including the National Security Agency (NSA) and the U.S. Naval Academy—has been hit with a a series of cyberattacks originating from an “external source.”
“The county is taking the most proactive approach to ensure our systems are safe. Precautionary measures include limiting access to the Internet until we are able to return to full operations,” the Anne Arundel County Government announced on X.
Officials confirmed that the attack is expected to last multiple days, with no clear timeline for full restoration.
“Based on our conversations with cyber specialists, this is a multi-day event. We do not have a timeline for full service restoration yet,” the county stated.
“We are engaging with each department to identify and discuss their current state of operational needs.”
While specifics about which public services have been affected remain unclear, county officials reassured residents that emergency response lines remain intact.
“911 remains operational for emergencies, and 311 remains available for non-emergency reports,” the county confirmed.
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A High-Profile Target in the Cybersecurity Landscape
Anne Arundel County, located about 30 miles east of Washington, D.C., is home to some of the nation’s most critical defense and cybersecurity agencies, making it a potential high-value target for cyber threats.
Key Federal and Military Installations in Anne Arundel County:
- National Security Agency (NSA) – Headquarters for America’s signals intelligence (SIGINT) and cybersecurity operations
- U.S. Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM) – Oversees military cyber defense and offensive cyber operations
- Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) – Provides IT and communications support for the Department of Defense (DoD)
- Fort George G. Meade – A major military installation housing intelligence and cybersecurity units
- Naval Support Activity Annapolis & U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) – A key institution training future naval officers
- Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) and FBI Field Offices – Conduct federal law enforcement operations in the region
Authorities Investigating as Impact Remains Unclear
Local media outlet Baltimore Banner reported that county officials are still assessing the full scope of the cyberattack.
“The full picture of the impact is still being determined,” said Renesha Alphonso, spokeswoman for County Executive Steuart Pittman. She noted that service disruptions began early Saturday.
In response to the incident, WBAL’s Torrey Snow lightheartedly speculated on X: “Was somebody promised a fortune by a desperate Nigerian princess?”
With Anne Arundel County housing some of the most sensitive intelligence and cybersecurity institutions in the country, this attack raises concerns about the increasing frequency and scale of cyber threats targeting U.S. infrastructure.
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