State Systems Coming Back After Three-Week Outage
Nevada’s recovery from a major cyberattack is picking up steam. Governor Joe Lombardo announced Friday that 90% of public-facing state websites are back online following the August 24 ransomware attack that shut down government services across the state.
The biggest news for gun owners came Sunday morning. The Brady Firearms Unit background check system is back online as of Sunday, following the cyberattack that crippled Nevada’s network. The system went live at 8 a.m., ending a three-week delay for anyone trying to buy a firearm in Nevada.
Gun Background Checks Resume Operations
“I’m pleased to announce access to the Brady Firearms Unit was successfully restored this morning,” stated Governor Joe Lombardo. “I’m grateful to the Governor’s Technology Office and Department of Public Safety, who worked 24/7 to restore access to this essential public safety service.”
Licensed gun dealers can now submit background checks through their electronic portal. The system’s phone support is also working again, though people who don’t use the online portal should expect some delays as call volumes return to normal.
State workers are putting in extra hours to meet the three-day legal deadline for background check decisions. Some transactions might stay in “pending review” longer than usual because of the backlog from the three-week shutdown.
DMV Back to Full Service
The Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles hit a major milestone this week. Lombardo says the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles is 100% back online. After being completely shut down for over a week, the DMV can now handle all services including new driver’s licenses and ID cards.
The agency is honoring all appointments that were canceled between August 25 and September 4. Walk-ins are being accepted for vehicle registration and title transfers.
What’s Still Not Working
While most services are back, the remaining 10% of offline systems are proving tricky. The majority of the remaining 10% are key components of the state’s systems and will require more due diligence before they are brought back online, Lombardo explained.
Some state tax systems remain down. The Nevada Tax Center portal for business taxes is still offline. Several licensing boards can’t process background checks for new applicants.
Ransomware Attacks Spike Nationwide
Nevada’s troubles come at a bad time for cybersecurity nationwide. New data shows U.S. ransomware attacks increased by 149% year over year in the first five weeks of 2025, with 378 reported incidents compared to 152 in 2024. Experts predict attacks will keep growing as criminals get better at targeting valuable systems.
The average ransom payment jumped to $2.73 million in 2024, up from just $400,000 the year before. Some victims are being asked to pay as much as $70 million to get their data back.
Government agencies are becoming favorite targets because they handle sensitive information and often have older computer systems that are easier to break into.
Data Breach Still Under Investigation
State officials confirmed that hackers stole some data during the attack, but they won’t say what kind. At this time, Lombardo says the State has seen no evidence of personal identifier information being compromised in the attack. The governor promised to notify residents if investigators find that personal information was accessed.
The state also confirmed that financial data and DMV records appear to be safe from the breach.
What This Means for Conservatives
The three-week outage shows how much modern life depends on government computer systems. When hackers shut down state networks, regular people couldn’t renew licenses, register vehicles, or buy firearms. Small businesses that needed permits or licenses were stuck waiting.
The attack also highlights growing cyber threats facing all levels of government. As more services move online, the risk of major disruptions like this one will likely increase.
Nevada’s recovery timeline has been faster than expected. Lombardo said typical ransomware recoveries take “several weeks to months” but Nevada is “moving well ahead of that projection.”
Looking Forward
State officials say they’re implementing stronger security measures as systems come back online. This includes updating password requirements and expanding two-factor authentication for state employees.
The remaining offline systems should be restored in the coming days, though officials won’t give a firm timeline. Workers continue putting in 24/7 shifts to get everything running normally again.
For now, most Nevadans can access the state services they need. Gun owners can complete background checks, drivers can get new licenses, and most online services are working normally. The state’s recovery website at oem.nv.gov/recovery provides regular updates on which services are available.
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