- The Elche City Council suffered a cyberattack that has taken down the municipal IT system.
- Municipal Innovation Department and cybersecurity firms are actively investigating and working on restoring services.
- A Crisis Committee led by acting mayor Claudio Guilabert is coordinating with regional and national security centers.
- Citizen service offices remain open for in-person assistance but administrative procedures are temporarily suspended.
- Previously scheduled appointments will be rescheduled once systems are restored; the municipal phone line 010 remains available.
Elche City Council Cyberattack Halts Municipal IT systems
On August 27, 2025, the Elche City council announced it was the victim of a significant cyberattack that has rendered its entire municipal IT system inoperative. This disruption has forced a pause on all digital administrative services, affecting citizens’ ability to carry out online transactions and access many municipal functions.
Immediate Response and Investigation
The municipal Innovation Department, alongside specialized cybersecurity companies, is currently investigating the incident to assess the damage and restore normal operations as swiftly as possible.Given the severity of the attack, a Crisis Committee was convened this morning, chaired by acting mayor Claudio Guilabert.
This committee is maintaining close communications with:
- The Centro de Seguridad TIC de la Comunidad Valenciana (Valencian Community IT Security Center)
- The Centro Criptológico Nacional (National Cryptologic Center)
These collaborations aim to mitigate risks, identify the attack’s origin, and prevent further damage.
Impact on Citizen Services
Despite the IT system outage, the Oficinas Municipales de atención al Ciudadano (OMAC) remain open for face-to-face assistance. However, all administrative procedures requiring electronic systems are temporarily suspended.
To help citizens navigate this disruption:
- Those with prior appointments will be contacted once systems are restored to reschedule.
- Phone assistance is available by calling 010 from 08:30 to 13:45.
How Long Will the Disruption Last?
Authorities have not yet confirmed how long the IT systems will remain offline. The investigation and recovery process depends on the attack’s complexity, but efforts are focused on achieving full restoration quickly.
What this means for Residents
- Plan ahead: Expect delays in administrative services that usually require online processing.
- Stay informed: Follow official Elche City Council channels for updates on system status and service availability.
- Use phone support: Call 010 during business hours for inquiries or assistance.
| Service | status | Advice |
|---|---|---|
| Online Administrative Procedures | Unavailable | Wait for system restoration |
| In-Person Citizen Services (OMAC) | Open | no administrative procedures |
| Phone Assistance | Available | Call 010 from 08:30 to 13:45 |
Understanding the growing Threat of Cyberattacks Against Municipalities
Cyberattacks targeting local governments are on the rise globally, exploiting vulnerabilities in municipal IT infrastructure to disrupt services, steal sensitive data, or demand ransoms. This attack on Elche’s City Council highlights the importance of robust cybersecurity strategies, real-time monitoring, and rapid incident response teams.
Many municipalities have since increased investments in:
- Cybersecurity training for staff
- Advanced threat detection software
- Cross-agency collaboration for crisis management
As more public services shift online, safeguarding these digital platforms remains a top priority for city administrations worldwide.
What’s Next for Elche?
The City Council has committed to clarity and frequent updates during the recovery phase.Citizens are encouraged to remain patient and cooperative as teams work tirelessly to rebuild safe and reliable access to municipal services.
Mayor claudio Guilabert emphasized: “Our priority is to restore the system as quickly as possible while ensuring the security and integrity of our citizens’ data.”
Stay Updated
For the latest news and updates on the situation, visit the official Elche City Council website or follow their verified social media accounts.
—
Sources:
Aquimedios de Comunicación
Elche City Council Official Website
Centro Criptológico Nacional