HINGHAM — Executive Director Aaron Smith reports that the South Shore Regional Emergency Communications Center (SSRECC) was affected by an apparent cyberattack targeting one of its member communities, which brought down the center’s computer-aided dispatch software for most of the day this past Saturday.
At this early stage of the investigation, it is not known if the attack compromised any confidential information. Any additional information will be released as it becomes known.
On Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025 at 9:30 a.m., SSRECC staff began to experience significant issues with its Information Management Corporation computer-aided dispatch software.
Management at SSRECC immediately called in the center’s information technology vendor, Multi Service Provider Global Data Systems (GDS) and placed a call directly to IMC for support. It was quickly determined that the CAD system was rendered unusable by an intentional act.
SSRECC notified its four member communities of the issue and notified the FBI and the Massachusetts State Police and Commonwealth Fusion Center.
Computer-aided dispatch software is a real-time system that automates and streamlines the process of dispatching specific emergency responders, units and apparatus to incidents. It integrates the functions of a 911 call center to coordinate rapid and effective responses. During the initial cyberattack response, while the CAD system was offline, and dispatchers relied on traditional, manual methods of emergency dispatch, something that SSRECC trains its staff on regularly.
At no time was any 911 call missed or 911 service unavailable. SSRECC also reports no delays of any kind in responding to emergency calls on August 2. A 911 caller would not notice any different between the CAD system or manual dispatch.
It has been determined that a common but fairly new form of malware reportedly originated by a group with ties to Russia.
The incident remains under investigation by the Norwell Police Department, the Massachusetts State Police and the FBI.
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