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Update: DEQ works to resolve cyber attack
DEQ asks public to resubmit any public comments sent by email during this time.

Updated (4/25/2025 at 5:02 p.m.):

DAS and DEQ are aware of recent media coverage of DEQ’s April 9 cyberattack. Claims referenced in that coverage continue to be part of our investigation. We have engaged an external data forensics team to help DAS and DEQ complete our investigation. Due to the volume and complexity of data under review, it is hard to estimate when we will be able to report on the outcomes of that review. Know this is a top priority.

We will provide more information when we have verified information. We have not engaged in “ransom” or payment discussions with the attacker, or with any entity claiming to have information stolen from DEQ for sale.

DEQ services for the public were restored and are operational.

Continue to check this news release or subscribe to these updates via the 'News Releases' list in GovDelivery for current information on the status of our continuing investigation.

Updated (4/17/2025 at 9:14 a.m.):

Most DEQ employees do not currently have laptops and are working from their phones. Expect response times to be longer. As previously stated, any emails sent to DEQ employees between April 9 and April 11 did not go through and may not be retrievable. See more in previous update below.

Update (4/15/2025 at 3:45 p.m.): Due to an unexpected cyberattack last week, DEQ staff were unable to receive emails from Wednesday, April 9, through Friday, April 11.

If you submitted a public comment during this time via email, you will need to resubmit that comment. You can go into your ‘sent’ folder and re-send the same email to the same email address.

The following public comment periods are extended until Friday, April 25, to ensure the public has time to resubmit their comments.

Sundown Sanitary District water quality permit, submit comments to: trinh.hansen@deq.oregon.gov
Terrebonne Sanitary District’s proposed categorical exclusion, submit comments to: cristina.jones@deq.oregon.gov

The public hearing for the City of Molalla’s water quality draft permit will be rescheduled. The hearing date and the preceding public comment period will be announced through GovDelivery as soon as possible. Please note, only comments submitted by email during this timeframe will need to be resubmitted. If you submitted your comment through Your DEQ Online, DEQ received your comment and you do not need to resubmit.

Update (4/13/2025 at 8:15 p.m.): DEQ brings vehicle inspection stations back online in Medford and Portland area.

DEQ and the Department of Administrative Services Enterprise Information Services worked through the weekend to address the cyber issues.

As a result, vehicle inspection stations are securely back online. The Medford station opens Monday, April 14 at 8:30 a.m. The Portland area stations are also open their regular hours, which start Tuesday, April 15. Check DEQ's website for specific station days and hours of operation. Please expect stations to be busier than usual.

DEQ Too locations are not yet back online.

Other information:

  • There continues to be no evidence of a data breach.
  • DEQ is able to receive and send emails. Please be patient as staff work through a backlog of messages.
  • Your DEQ Online continues to be available to regulated entities in the public. Only the help desk has been affected and is currently unavailable.

Update (4/11/2025 at 4:00 p.m.): DEQ continues to work with the Department of Administrative Services Enterprise Information Services and Microsoft cybersecurity team to address cybersecurity issues.

Key information:

  • There continues to be no evidence of a data breach.
  • DEQ is prioritizing re-establishing vehicle inspection station services.
  • DEQ is not receiving or able to send emails. If you need to reach someone at DEQ, please reach out by phone.
  • Your DEQ Online continues to be available to regulated entities in the public. Only the help desk has been affected and is currently unavailable.

Staff are working around the clock to restore services and it may still be several days before business returns to normal.

Update (4/10/2025 | 2:00 p.m.): DEQ is continuing to work with Enterprise Information Services and Microsoft’s cybersecurity team to analyze and resolve the cyber issue.

At this time there is no evidence of a data breach.

DEQ’s systems will continue to be down. This includes all email. The agency confirmed it has not been able to receive or send emails. If you need to reach someone at DEQ, contact them by phone.

VIP stations will be closed today, tomorrow and Saturday, April 12.

As previously stated, Your DEQ Online, DEQ’s environmental data information management system is hosted on a separate server, has not been impacted, and will continue to be operational

Staff are working around the clock to restore services and it may still be several days before business returns to normal.

Update (4/9/2025 | 5:50 p.m.): Enterprise Information System and Microsoft’s cybersecurity team are working to analyze and resolve the cyber issues. DEQ’s systems will continue to be down through the end of the week and vehicle inspection stations will also be closed Thursday and Friday, April 10 and 11.

Your DEQ Online, DEQ’s environmental data management system, is hosted on a separate server, has not been impacted and will continue to be operational.

Update (4/9/2025 | 10:50 a.m.): Enterprise Information Services is investigating a cyberattack within the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. We are in the process of shutting down networks to provide isolation for the agency servers and network until the attack is totally contained and potentially eradicated. Our next update will be at the end of the day or as significant events unfold.

We apologize for any inconvenience this causes. DEQ will provide more information as it becomes available.


Contacts

DEQ Communications and Outreach
Lauren Wirtis
Communications Manager
Oregon DEQ
503-229-6488
https://www.oregon.gov/deq/





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