Following a crippling cyberattack, the **Minnesota National Guard** has been dispatched to **Winona County** to help restore “vital emergency and critical services.” **Executive Order and Response** Minnesota Governor **Tim Walz** issued an executive order on Tuesday, confirming that the county experienced a significant cyberattack on Monday. The attack resulted in “significant disruptions,” prompting county officials to collaborate with the **FBI**, the state’s Information Technology Services, and other law enforcement agencies for recovery efforts. According to Governor Walz, “Unfortunately, the scale and complexity of this incident has exceeded both internal and commercial response capabilities.” He further stated that **Winona County** requested cyber protection support from the **Minnesota National Guard** to ensure the continuity of essential municipal services. The executive order unlocks access to necessary funding, equipment, and resources to aid the county's recovery from the cyberattack. **Previous Incident and Limited Communication** Winona County, with a population of approximately 50,000, has not issued a public statement regarding the recent cyber incident. However, the county previously reported a ransomware attack in January, requiring assistance from state and federal law enforcement. The executive order does not explicitly link the two incidents. On January 23, the county acknowledged a ransomware attack, leading to a declaration of a local emergency by **Winona County** Board Chair Commissioner Meyer. While emergency services remained operational, no further updates were provided after the initial statement. **Impact Scope** Winona City Mayor Scott Sherman told **MPR News** that the April cyberattack primarily impacted the county government, with minimal disruption to city operations. **Statewide Trend** Governor Walz previously activated the state’s national guard in response to a ransomware attack on the city of St. Paul last year. Minneapolis has also been targeted by multiple cyberattacks in recent years, indicating a growing cybersecurity challenge for the state's urban centers.