Questions and theories are mounting as the city of St. Paul marks a week into the cyberattack on its internet-based computer networks, though few answers have been offered.

The breach was first detected last Friday, July 25. The city voluntarily cut off most of its own access to Wi-Fi and internet services Monday. Mayor Melvin Carter declared a state of local emergency Tuesday, and now the city is being assisted by the FBI’s and Minnesota National Guard’s cybersecurity experts.

St. Paul police and firefighters are still responding to 911 calls, but they don’t have all the technology they’re accustomed to. For example, officers use in-squad laptops to check if someone has a warrant or a vehicle is stolen. Now, they are temporarily having to obtain that information by phone or over police radio.

Libraries, recreation centers and other buildings remain open, but with no access to internet-based services, some check-in and registration activities are affected.

RELATED: St. Paul cyberattack: Which city services are available?

The Pioneer Press spoke with cybersecurity expert Betsy Cooper, the founding director of the Aspen Policy Academy and former executive director of the University of California, Berkeley’s Center for Long-Term Cybersecurity, to understand the potential scope of the attack.

A Bay Area-based initiative of the Washington, D.C.-headquartered Aspen Institute, the Aspen Policy Academy is a program designed to help experts and community members get involved in policy, with a focus on cybersecurity.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Betsy Cooper Q&A

Q: How widespread could the range of impact be when a city’s internet-based computer networks are attacked?

Betsy Cooper, a cybersecurity expert and founding director of the Aspen Policy Academy. (Courtesy of the Aspen Policy Academy)

A: It can have a wide range of impacts. If your internet basically goes down, your city systems won’t work, your payments won’t work, staff who are doing every type of job at the city – from picking up garbage bins to processing taxes – won’t be able to do that work if they don’t have a way to do it without the internet.

Thankfully, in St. Paul’s case, it sounds as though 911 is not affected. A worst-case scenario could see emergency services affected.

We live in a digital era: most of the work that we do as a city is digital. All of those operations can be affected when there is a cyberattack that interferes with internet communications.

Q: Why might someone choose to attack a city in this way?

A: I put motivations into 4 categories: Money, revenge, data and fun.

Potentially the most common is money, which often occurs with a ransomware attack. In a ransomware attack, a malicious actor will block systems and ask the city, or whatever entity is being attacked, to pay bitcoin to release the data or the system.

Revenge would mean someone has it out for the city of St. Paul for some reason, maybe a disgruntled city member for example, and they are seeking to do this to get revenge for one reason or another.

Sometimes malicious actors want to collect some form of data. Is there something about the city of St. Paul that has sensitive information on certain citizens or leadership of the city? Is there a reason why somebody might want data from the city?

Lastly, there are people that find it fun and amusing to hack cities and other organizations. They are proud of their ability to cause this sort of havoc. It’ll be annoying, but the effects will be less likely to be long-lasting.

Whatever the initial reason looks to be, it’s still going to be important for the city to do forensics and make sure, because someone could launch a ransomware attack to distract from the fact that they’re collecting data.

Another example could be the hackers trying to make it look like someone’s just having a bunch of fun, when it is actually a nation state with more specific goals than might initially appear.

Q: What is the worst-case scenario for the city in a breach like this?

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A: The worst case would be if data is manipulated or disappears. For instance, one of my biggest fears in a situation like this is not just that records are unable to be accessed for a short amount of time, but what if the records are tampered with or removed altogether?

Say they take the tax payments and change all of the numbers or mix them all up so the city has no record anymore of the information. Or, say they delete that database altogether.

For instance, you can imagine a situation where a city no longer has records of who paid property taxes and if individuals don’t have those records themselves, it’ll be very hard for everybody to sort all of that out. (St. Paul’s property taxes are collected through Ramsey County, so there may be outside records that could be used as a backup.)

For the city, you hope for sensitive systems like criminal record systems, that they have backups in a separate place. Without paper backups, it becomes incredibly difficult to restore that information.

Q: What is the worst-case scenario for individuals in a breach like this?

A: Worst case for individuals, for example, would be if you don’t have a record that you paid your taxes and the city doesn’t have its records — that’s gonna be a big difficulty to unwind.

Another example would be if someone changes records to make it look like you have a criminal record when you don’t. How do you prove a negative?

Those are some of the scenarios I most worry about, but I will say the average hack is probably not going to reach those scenarios. In all likelihood, it is a more traditional hack seeking to gather data or extract money.

Q: What are some factors that St. Paul residents should consider?

A: If the data is tampered with or missing, that would be something ordinary people will want to care about. They are going to want to hear from the city what systems were affected and what data was collected.

For instance, if the hackers got into sensitive city systems like voter records, the actor may have access to sensitive data about the people who live in the city.

If that happens, you may want to consider getting credit monitoring and consider the implications that could have. For the average person, it may not be that sensitive, but for people in certain categories, like those with criminal records they may not want public, that could be cause for concern.

Q: Could the scale of this attack be cause for concern?

A: The fact that they called in the Minnesota National Guard suggests that the city believes this is a pretty serious attack.

There are attempts at attacking cities regularly, but this is a particularly broad one for the city of St. Paul, so the effects are pretty significant.

We’ve seen significant cyberattacks before, Cleveland experienced something similar, so I don’t think this is entirely novel. The city of St. Paul will be able to reach out to other cities once they know more about their attack and should be able to figure out some systems and best practices. While the attack on St. Paul is serious, it is not unique.

Q: How can everyday citizens keep their information safe?

A: We work closely with a campaign called Take9. The program is all about getting people to take a 9-second pause to think about their cybersecurity when they’re online.

Take9 is a great moment for people to reflect: Is that email legit? Is someone really offering you free Taylor Swift tickets? Have you set up multi-factor authentication on your computer system? Have you compartmentalized your data into different places so if someone gets access to one system, they don’t get access to all your data?

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Q: Could we see more cyberattacks in the future?

A: I do think cyberattacks are on the rise because artificial intelligence is going to make it easier to take on these sorts of attacks.

Very often, though not always, humans are the weakest link in a cyberattack. A phishing scam will trick someone into clicking on a malicious link and, with artificial intelligence, it’s getting easier and easier to send targeted attacks that look to be legitimate.

Using the Taylor Swift tickets example, with artificial intelligence, an attack could be targeted only to people who have posted on social media about Taylor Swift, which would increase their likelihood of clicking a link.

In July’s Morning Report newsletter, we said goodbye to Rhino the cat, celebrated the rescue of another cat called Harley and introduced you to four dogs — Audrey, Scuppers, Betty and Tru Blu.

Molly Guthrey also shared a photo of her late mother with her first dog, Pootsie. Shall we start a vintage pet series?

Send in your pet photos and stories by signing up for our newsletter at twincities.com/newsletters.

In June, we highlighted nine pet stories from the Morning Report.

Thursday, July 31

Harley was adopted through Twin Cities Rescue at Petco in Highland Park. (Courtesy of Shawn)

“Harley, one of our new rescue cats, posed so nicely I thought I’d send it along, ” Shawn writes. “We adopted Harley and his brother Rocket when Kit-Kit, our beloved cat, passed away at age 20. Both Harley and Rocket love perching on high places. This window in the new breakfast nook is a favorite of theirs.”

Note: Shawn tells us that Harley and Rocket were adopted through Twin Cities Pet Rescue at Petco on Ford Parkway in Highland Park — and that there are currently more adoptable cats waiting at this Petco.

Wednesday, July 30

Welcome, Tru Blu!

“Our new Golden Retriever, Tru Blu,” Jim writes.

Tuesday, July 29

Luna

“This is Luna McComas, a rescued pet from Oklahoma,” Jeff writes. “We had X-rays done of her sore knee a while ago and they found buckshot in her and asked us if we shot our dog. Oh, come on. She is the sweetest dog we’ve ever met. Sometimes a bad dog but always a good friend.”

Monday, July 28

Rest in peace, Rhino.

“In the early morning of July 16th, we had to put Rhino down due to kidney failure,” Robin writes. “Rhino was born in Petaluma, Calif., on Aug. 15th, 2008. He was one of 17 furry kids (six dogs, one ferret, two skunks and a total of eight cats) who moved to Florida. Rhino was the last of the 17, Rhino was one in a trillion the sweetest cat ever never had an ounce of mean in him, always purring and making the cutest sounds. Rhino leaves behind his best furry friend, Rhody.”

Friday, July 25

Leslie and Pootsie.

“Good morning, pet corner fans,” Molly Guthrey wrote in Friday’s newsletter. “Here’s a photo of my mother, sitting outside the house her father built in Wisconsin. She’s with her first dog, Pootsie. My mom has passed away and I’ve been away from work as we said goodbye. I have found myself looking at family photos a lot in the last few weeks; it’s been fun to spot our pets through the decades. If you have vintage pet photos in your own family archives, please send them my way at mguthrey@pioneerpress.com and I’ll start a new vintage pets series. In the meantime, thank you for your patience as I catch up on your July submissions.”

Thursday, July 3

Betty wading in White Bear Lake.

“My dog Betty wading in White Bear Lake,” Linda writes.

Wednesday, July 2

Scuppers takes a catnap.

“Good morning,” Melenie writes. “In 2020, Scuppers, the months-old Wonder Airedale, was introduced in the Daily Doggo as the water-lover he promised to be. Having spent his fifth birthday last week romping and playing at his home on Madeline Island, he demonstrated his proficiency at snoozing whenever and wherever he wishes. Happy birthday, Scuppers.”

Tuesday, July 1

Audrey, assistant painter.

“I work in special education as a paraprofessional in Mound, ” writes Steph. “Every summer, I try to accomplish something at home.”

This summer, she’s painting the first floor of her small, 100+ year home.

Fortunately, there’s a “painting assistant” on hand. Meet Audrey.

“Audrey is a rescue from The Bond Between, my daughter’s dog, ” Steph says “No white trim paint on her yet!”

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Lakeville’s Regan Smith recorded a season-best time in the 200-meter backstroke final at the World Championships on Saturday in Singapore, touching the wall in 2 minutes, 4.29 seconds.

That was less than a second behind Australian backstroke queen Kaylee McKeown, and gave Smith her fourth individual silver medal of the major meet.

Smith also finished second in the 50 backstroke, 200 fly and the 100 backstroke, the latter was also won by McKeown.

Smith came out hard in Saturday’s race. She was ahead of world-record pace at the 100-meter mark and still held a three-hundredths advantage over McKeown at the final turn. But the Australian finished strong to comfortably win the race.

“Something I’ve been really working on is focusing on my own race. I think it really helped me on the outside lane, not seeing the other girls around me, and just really focusing on what I’ve been working on,” McKeown told reporters. “I don’t see a whole lot when I’m racing. I had to ask for my time at the end.”

Fellow American Claire Curzan finished third with a time of 2:06.04, putting two Americans on the podium in the event.

“It’s really special, it’s been a while since we had two Americans on the podium in the 200 backstroke,” Smith told reporters. “It’s 2025 and we have 3 years until the big dance (in LA) so that is something we absolutely want to repeat in the years going forward.”

Smith figures to swim the backstroke leg for Team USA in the women’s 4×100 medley relay on Sunday — the final day of competition. She won gold in that event in last year’s Olympics.

Bruce Helmer and Peg Webb

For many successful entrepreneurs, longtime employees with stock options, or heirs to a family business, the biggest financial decision of their lives is often not how to grow their wealth, but how to unlock it.

At Wealth Enhancement, we often work with clients who have spent decades building value in a privately held business or have accumulated significant equity through an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP), incentive stock options or inheritance.

For these clients, the decision to sell the business or diversify out of a concentrated equity position is not just financial — it can be highly emotional. And when it’s handled without foresight, it can lead to profound regret.

The emotional complexity of selling

Here’s a surprising statistic: 76% of business owners regret selling their business within one year of the sale, according to research by the Exit Planning Institute. That’s not because the sale went poorly. In many cases, it’s because the seller didn’t know what they wanted after the sale. They lacked a plan for what was next in life, or what to do with the money.

That regret isn’t limited to business owners. It also shows up in long-tenured employees who’ve accumulated large company stock positions and in individuals who inherit ownership in a family enterprise. When you’ve spent years (or generations) identifying with the company you’ve built, worked for, or inherited, the exit can feel like losing part of your identity.

So how do you avoid that sense of loss? How do you ensure that what could be a once-in-a-lifetime liquidity even leads to opportunity, not uncertainty?

Begin with the end in mind

One of the most powerful tools in successful transitions is a concept borrowed from the late Stephen Covey: Begin with the end in mind (One of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People).

Start by clarifying your “wealth mission” — a statement of your goals, values and vision for what you want this money to accomplish. Whether you hope to retire, support a cause, invest in a new venture, or pass wealth down to future generations, this mission can help guide your decisions from a place of purpose, not just numbers.

Ten keys to a no-regrets exit

Our colleague Paul Brahim, CFP®, CEPA®, a specialist in advising company leaders and wealthy families on business exit strategies, has identified 10 key strategies to help business owners, employees with equity and inheritors plan for a confident and regret-free transition:

• Start early and define your why. Ask yourself: “What’s next?” Whether it’s more time with family or launching a nonprofit, the clarity of that vision will shape every decision that follows.

• Get the timing right. Don’t wait for perfect market conditions, but don’t rush, either. Review your financials, align with personal goals, and assess buyer interest or vesting schedules.

• Know your numbers. Understand what a buyer sees in your company. Get professional help to assess your financials and valuation.

• Get a formal valuation. Use multiple approaches (asset-based, income-based, and market-based) to determine a fair range.

• Build a strong leadership team. Whether you’re selling or stepping away, continuity matters. Buyers and boards want to see that the business can run without you.

• Prepare emotionally. Selling or stepping back can be surprisingly difficult. Be honest about the emotional impact and plan for it.

• Assemble the right advisory team. You’ll likely need a CPA, financial adviser, estate attorney, and possibly a business broker or transaction expert.

• Communicate clearly. Whether it’s employees, family members or co-owners, manage expectations with transparency and empathy.

• Focus on transferable value. Strengthen operations, reduce owner dependence, protect intellectual property and increase recurring revenue to boost valuation.

• Plan for life after the sale. A large liquidity event is not the finish line — it’s the starting point of the next chapter. Work with a financial adviser to map out how to invest, diversify and sustain income for the long run.

Considerations for equity-rich employees and heirs

If you’ve built up company stock through an ESOP or options over a long career, now could be the time to plan. Diversification becomes especially critical as retirement nears. Similarly, if you’ve inherited a stake in a family business, it’s essential to clarify ownership rights, valuation and long-term governance with your advisers and family members.

In both cases, too much of your financial future may be riding on one company. It’s wise to consider tax-smart strategies to gradually diversify your holdings.

Life transitions require reflection, and sometimes advice

Exiting a business or unwinding from a concentrated equity position is not a simple transaction. It’s a life transition. The difference between regret and confidence often comes down to planning early, asking the right questions, and surrounding yourself with the right people.

So if you’re thinking about making a move — whether it’s selling the company, exercising options, or passing ownership to the next generation—recognize that you don’t need to go it alone. There are professionals who do this work each day and who can bring great insight and experience to the process.

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The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.

Bruce Helmer and Peg Webb are financial advisers at Wealth Enhancement Group and co-hosts of “Your Money” on WCCO 830 AM on Sunday mornings. Email Bruce and Peg at yourmoney@wealthenhancement.com. Advisory services offered through Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC, a registered investment adviser and affiliate of Wealth Enhancement Group.