The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority ordered staff off computers and email during a cybersecurity investigation, with the restriction still in place Monday evening.
The joint city-county agency coordinates homelessness funding and works with nonprofit providers on shelter, housing and supportive services across Los Angeles County.
Interim CEO Gita O’Neill issued the order Friday, according to LAist, which obtained her email and confirmed its authenticity with her.
“Log off and shut down your LAHSA computer,” the email instructed, according to LAist.
Employees were told to stop work and not reconnect to agency systems until they received an all-clear.
In a Monday statement reported by LAist, the agency said it remained open and was taking steps to maintain essential operations while outside cybersecurity specialists investigated a “potential cybersecurity incident.”
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LAHSA oversees the Homeless Management Information System, which providers use to coordinate services. It holds sensitive client records, including identifying details and information about health, income and domestic violence.
O’Neill told LAist Friday that officials had not determined whether sensitive or confidential personal information was accessed.
Whether the shutdown interrupted client services or left the shared client-information system unavailable, and when staff access will resume, remain unclear.
