Foster City Services Impacted by Cyber Security Breach

For immediate release: March 19, 2026

Contact: Austin Walsh, Communications Manager, (415) 806-9683

The City of Foster City experienced a cyber security breach, which is widely impacting City services due to ransomware identified on the City’s networks by Information Technology staff in the early hours of Thursday, March 19. As a result, public services outside of emergency responses have been temporarily paused.

Investigations to the extent of the breach are ongoing, and limited information is publicly available during this time. The City Manager’s Office is in the process of declaring a state of emergency, which will position the City to receive supplementary financial support from outside agencies.

Emergency services such as 911 and police dispatch are functional and unaffected.

It is possible that public information has been accessed in the breach, but that remains uncertain at this time. Out of an abundance of caution, those who have done business with the City of Foster City are encouraged to change their personal passwords and take measures to protect their personal data.

“The public’s safety is our highest priority, so we encourage members of our community to take precautions that would best assure the security of their personal information,” said City Manager Stefan Chatwin. “Foster City staff, with the assistance of outside cyber security experts, are working diligently to restore the integrity of the City’s system and ensure there are no further security issues impacting services to our community.”

To stay updated on this issue, community members are encouraged to follow the City’s Facebook and X channels. Members of the media are encouraged to contact Communications Manager Austin Walsh at (415) 806-9683. 

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