Because a cyberattack on a network provider could pose a security threat, multiple government agencies took notice. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agency that monitors cyberattacks — the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) — was one of the agencies that looked into the issue. As of 5 a.m. ET, CISA does not know the cause of the outage, but believes “there are no indications of malicious activity.” This information comes from a confidential memo obtained by ABC News.
National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby explained that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) was in communication with AT&T to find out more information about the outage. On Thursday afternoon, Kirby told the press that the DHS and the FBI were also investigating, working with those in the industry to determine what could be done “from a federal perspective to enhance their investigative efforts to figure out what happened here.” He explained that they do not have all the answers, but are working toward that goal.
Although the outage may not have been a result of a cyberattack, it still posed potentially serious issues for customers. In multiple areas — from Charlotte, North Carolina to San Francisco, California — AT&T customers could not use cell service to call 911. Local agencies in affected areas urged AT&T customers to use Wi-Fi to make emergency calls if available, or use a friend’s or family’s phone. This event may even convince some to reconsider throwing out their home phone.
