The Brief
• Winona County restored its network and critical systems after an April 7 ransomware attack, with offices resuming near-full operations Friday
• IT teams and Minnesota National Guard specialists worked to recover affected systems
• Residents may experience delays and should call offices before visiting
WINONA, Minn. (WKBT) — Winona County officials announced Thursday they have restored their network and critical systems after a ransomware attack on April 7.
County offices are expected to resume close to full operations Friday, according to County Administrator Maureen Holte.
“We have been able to securely restore our network and critical public systems,” Holte said. “We are incredibly grateful for our community’s patience as we work to recover from this incident.”
The county restored systems in phases and continues working through a backlog. Officials encourage residents to call before visiting to ensure services are available.
This marks the second ransomware attack on Winona County in less than three months. The previous attack occurred in January 2026 and involved different cybercriminals.
The Minnesota National Guard provided cybersecurity support throughout the recovery process. Emergency services continued operating normally during the incident.
County officials worked with the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, FBI and external cybersecurity experts. Due to the ongoing investigation, officials declined to comment on whether personal information was compromised.
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