Heber City Council holds closed security meeting after cyberattack, schedules a second

The Heber City Council met in a closed emergency session on Oct. 12 about the deployment of security personnel, devices or systems, according to the city's agenda and draft minutes. The meeting came two days after the Oct. 10 cyberattack on the city's computer network. Neither the agenda nor the minutes mention the cyberattack, and no action was recorded. ^[1][2][4]

The minutes say the 10 a.m. meeting began at 10:15 a.m. Council members voted 5-0 to enter a closed meeting under Utah Code 52-4-205 and 5-0 to end it and adjourn. City Manager Matt Brower and IT Director Anthon Beales were listed to lead the discussion, scheduled for 60 minutes. Mayor Heidi Franco and the police chief and deputy chief attended, and representatives of the outside firm Executech were present in person and remotely. ^[1][2]

On Oct. 30 the city posted notice of an emergency special meeting at 7:30 a.m. on Oct. 31. The agenda lists a call to order, a closed meeting on the deployment of security personnel, devices or systems, and an action item titled "Security Measures." The Ledger found no minutes or recording of the Oct. 31 meeting, so what the council decided, if anything, is not known. ^[3]

KPCW reported on Oct. 16 that the attack breached the city's IT network. The Ledger reported on Oct. 18 that city officials said systems were back online, essential services continued and the FBI was assisting.