West Chester Twp., OH: Faces Second Cybersecurity Incident this Month
West Chester Township, a busy Cincinnati suburb, faced cyber attacks twice in August 2025. These events show the dangers small towns face online today. Local leaders and citizens are dealing with this worrying problem.
First Attack: August 12 Incident by PEAR
The first red flag went up on August 12, 2025, when township officials discovered a breach in their network. A new ransomware gang, PEAR, claims responsibility for the most recent incident. On August 15, they stated they took 2 terabytes of data. This data came from West Chester’s computer systems.
PEAR distinguishes itself from many mainstream ransomware gangs by focusing on data theft and extortion rather than encryption. The group has taken credit for 22 attacks, West Chester Township marked its first foray into government-targeted extortion.
Township officials have not confirmed the validity of PEAR’s claims. Authorities are silent on ransom payments or their value. The method of the intrusion also remains unknown. Investigations are continuing, but details are scarce.
Second Attack: Email Server Targeted on August 26
As of August 26, 2025, West Chester Township now faces another unsettling development: a second cybersecurity incident. This time the township’s target was central email server ).
When township officials detected suspicious activity targeting their email system, they quickly activated their emergency response plan. A forensic review then started with the FBI’s Internet Crime group.
Hackers say they have two terabytes of sensitive data. However, investigators state there is no proof of theft currently.
Why Smaller Governments Are Lucrative Targets
Small municipal governments such as West Chester, Middletown, and Liberty Township are common targets for cybercriminals.
Regional Impact: A Pattern of Attacks in Butler County
West Chester isn’t the only public government experiencing cybersecurity incidents. In August 2025, nearby Middletown also suffered a cyber incident that disrupted email, phone, and website services. In addition, Liberty Township experienced a ransomware attack earlier this year.
Township Response and Ongoing Investigation
West Chester Township has engaged closely with cybersecurity consultants, legal counsel, and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. With the second suspected breach, the township is working with forensic investigators to lock down critical systems. They are currently taking additional precautions to safeguard sensitive data.
Key Takeaways & Recommendations for Municipalities
1. Recognize the risk
Local governments frequently struggle with limited budgets and lack knowledge for cybersecurity. Their computer systems are often outdated. Attackers exploit these weaknesses for various gains. They might steal public data and disrupt essential services.
These attacks cost millions to fix. Municipalities need to protect themselves. Investing in cyber defense is not optional anymore. Cyber security is a basic requirement for modern governance.
A solid plan for cyber attacks is essential. A good plan tells you what steps to take first and guides your team through the crisis. It ensures you can access the data you need to restart operations. This recovery process is critical for survival.
2. Partner with experts and law enforcement
West Chester Township’s response, calling in specialized cybersecurity consultants and working with the FBI, is a critical step. Not all jurisdictions have immediate resource access. Forming such relationships ahead of time is key.
This foresight allows for a much smoother and more effective response to unexpected challenges. Having a plan ready to activate means the difference between a minor inconvenience and a operations failure.
3. Train staff and segment systems
Educating employees on phishing, secure operations, and segmenting critical systems can reduce the blast radius of an intrusion. Training makes staff aware of threats and empowers them to act safely.
Segmenting critical systems creates barriers. Your most important data and systems reside in protected areas. If an intruder breaks through one section, they cannot easily reach others. This limits the damage done.
This segmentation shrinks the impact of a breach. This approach is vital for business continuity. It ensures core operations can continue. Such preparation significantly reduces the potential fallout from cyber incidents.
4. Leverage statewide resources
Many local governments face increasing digital risks. These risks can disrupt essential services. Ohio offers specific programs for this purpose. These initiatives boost cyber resilience.
Ohio offers support programs for local governments to improve cyber resilience. This support aims to strengthen defenses against cyber threats. The state understands the importance of cyber readiness.
Final Thoughts
West Chester Township’s second cybersecurity incident is a reminder, that cyber threats are pervasive, relentless, and increasingly targeted at smaller public institutions. The overlapping attacks on West Chester, Middletown, and Liberty Township highlight vulnerabilities in local government cyber defenses.
With cybercriminals willing to exploit under-resourced systems, municipalities must treat cybersecurity as a priority. This means investing in prevention, cultivating partnerships, working with qualified cybersecurity experts (IT provider is not the same as cybersecurity) and system upgrades.
Cyber resilience is a fundamental part of serving the public. Strong cybersecurity is not optional. Protecting your systems and your data must be a priority.
If your business wants to avoid the same headaches Middletown is facing today, now is the time to act. Contact 4BIS Cyber Security to discuss how we can help secure your business before the next cyberattack happens.
