Hagerstown authorizes emergency contracts to investigate possible cyber attack on water systems

Hagerstown authorizes emergency contracts to investigate possible cyber attack on water systemsThe Maryland municipality has approved emergency funding for cyber security incident response and health checks across its water and wastewater utilities.

The City Council approved a $43,500 contract with ABB, Inc. for cyber security incident response for the water system.

A separate $25,470 contract was awarded to AutomaTech, Inc. for a Stratus/Proficy cyber security health check at the wastewater utility.

Both contracts were executed as emergency, sole-source procurements to assist with investigations involving state and federal agencies.

During its August 25, 2026 meeting, the Hagerstown City Council approved emergency funding to investigate a possible cyber attack on the city's water and wastewater infrastructure. The council authorized two sole-source contracts to conduct incident response and health checks on the utility's systems. For the water department, the city awarded a $43,500 contract to Pennsylvania-based ABB, Inc. for cyber security incident response. The funding, drawn from the FY27 Operating Budget, includes a $33,500 base cost and a $10,000 contingency. Simultaneously, the wastewater division received approval for a $25,470 contract with Massachusetts-based AutomaTech, Inc. to perform a Stratus/Proficy cyber security health check. This includes a $15,470 base fee and a $10,000 contingency, also funded through the wastewater operating budget. According to city documents, both emergency operations will utilize proprietary software to investigate the potential breach. The approved funding will be used to assist with ongoing investigations involving state and federal agencies.