HAGERSTOWN, MD News (12/12/2022) – While some experts have suggested the attack was likely ransomware, Washington County has not released critical details if the identities of any Washington County residents or taxpayers was compromised during the attack. After two and a half weeks, the county still has not released details of the cyber attack which crippled county government systems. Slowly, the county has been restoring services affected by the attack, but many questions still remain.

The county has remained very tight-lipped regarding the nature of the attack, the origin, or even publicly confirm how much of county computer systems were affected.

Under Maryland law, the county must notify consumers if any personal information was compromised within 45 days.

While Washington County is still within the grace period allowed by Maryland law, it owes to its residents and organizations it does business with to inform them if their personal information was possibly stolen during the breach. This notification should be made as soon as possible, so that those affected can take appropriate steps to protect their identities, bank accounts, and credit cards. Now that the County website is back online, residents should start contacting the County Commissioners and request that further details be released.

According to Washington County Government, some work remains to ensure that every system is ready for public access before it is brought back online. Washington County’s top priority is to ensure that our community members can access County government services.

Washington County provides the following updates:

-The County’s original website is back online. You can once again access County documents and information by visiting www.washco-md.net.


-Citizens can now access and register for all Washington County Parks and Recreation programs by visiting www.washcorecfit.com.


-Information concerning flights, events, and ticket sale hours for Hagerstown Regional Airport (HGR) can once again be found by visiting www.flyhagerstown.com.

-Vendors can return to viewing and downloading open bids by visiting the Purchasing Department’s Open Invitations Page.


-The Division of Budget and Finance is still accepting credit card payments for utility bills by phone. You may call their office Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at 240-313-2317. Online payment options remain unavailable currently.

-The Treasurer’s Office can now process tax payments. Please be patient as staff works to process a backlog of invoice payments.

-Permits and Inspections Division can now process and issue permits. Fees can be posted and checks, cash, and credit cards are now being accepted. Citizens can submit permits by drop-off or by emailing all required documents to permsupport@washco-md.net. Inspections are being performed and all requests should be made by contacting the Division of Permits and Inspections office. Interactive Voice Response and online citizen services remain unavailable currently.

This is a continuing story and RFHC will post updates as they become available.