KAUFMAN COUNTY, Texas — October 22, 2025 — Kaufman County officials have confirmed that the county experienced a “security incident” on October 20, disrupting access to certain courthouse computer systems and employee files.
While the county has not released details on the cause, InForney can confirm that some computers at the courthouse are infected, and some employees are currently unable to access their files. The Sheriff’s Department and emergency services were not impacted and continue to operate normally.
“Our priority remains the continuity of essential public services and the protection of County systems and information,” said Kaufman County Judge Jakie Allen. “We appreciate the public’s patience and understanding as our team works through this developing situation.”
What’s Happening
County officials say they are working with cybersecurity experts and law enforcement agencies to determine the scope and source of the attack. The investigation will also assess whether any data was accessed or stolen.
While officials have not identified the specific type of attack, some of the technical symptoms — locked files and system outages — are consistent with ransomware, a form of cyber intrusion where hackers encrypt data and demand payment to restore access.
What Is Ransomware?
Ransomware is a type of malicious software that locks users out of their files or systems until a ransom is paid, typically in cryptocurrency. Local governments across the United States have increasingly become targets of such attacks due to their extensive public databases and critical infrastructure.
The Texas Department of Information Resources has reported multiple cyber incidents at county and municipal levels in recent years, prompting state agencies to strengthen digital defenses and encourage proactive system backups.
What Residents Should Know
Emergency services, including law enforcement and 911 dispatch, are fully operational.
Courthouse operations may experience temporary delays as systems are restored.
The county has notified appropriate state and federal agencies and will provide updates on kaufmancounty.net.
Residents are encouraged to stay alert for phishing emails or suspicious messages claiming to come from county offices, as such scams often follow major cyber incidents.
Ongoing Response
IT teams continue to assess and restore affected systems. Officials say their top priorities are restoring operations, protecting sensitive data, and preventing further disruption.
All inquiries should be directed to:
James Fuller – 240-393-1369
Jason Huntsberry – 202-997-1911
