Emergency Notifications
CodeRED Security Update/Transition to New Platform
Recently, city staff was notified of a cybersecurity incident involving the City’s third-party emergency alert system, CodeRED. As a result, the legacy CodeRED platform was fully decommissioned and the City’s data has been migrated to the CodeRED by Crisis24 platform for alerts and notifications using available backup data dated March 31, 2025.
The CodeRED by Crisis24 platform continues to deliver emergency alerts and notifications via text message, automated phone calls (to both cell phones and landlines), and email, consistent with the services provided by the previous system.
As a best practice, all users are encouraged to update their data promptly and register with CodeRED by Crisis24. When creating your account, be sure to select a unique password that has not been used previously. If you are unsure whether your information was migrated to the new system, you may re-enroll. Duplicate alerts will not be sent.
Please know that protecting your personal information is our highest priority, and we are committed to safeguarding your data by working with vendors who provide secure, reliable systems. An FAQ from the vendor can be found below. If you have additional questions about your account, please email media@uptexas.org.
FAQS
- Is user data affected?
Our provider informed us that data potentially associated with the OnSolve CodeRED platform may be published. Our provider’s investigation suggests that the affected personal information is limited to contact information: name, address, email address, phone numbers and/or associated passwords used to create user profiles for alerts. If users have the same password for any other personal or business accounts, those passwords should be changed immediately. - What happened?
Our provider notified us that the OnSolve CodeRED environment was the victim of a targeted cyber-attack by an organized cybercriminal group. The attack damaged the OnSolve CodeRED environment. Our provider’s investigation indicates that this is an incident strictly contained within the OnSolve CodeRED environment with no contagion beyond. This does not impact any of our systems outside of emergency alerts. - Did this impact other systems for the municipality?
No. Our provider’s forensic analysis indicates that this is an incident strictly contained within the OnSolve CodeRED environment with no contagion beyond. This does not impact any of our systems outside of emergency alerts. - What is the new CodeRed system?
Our provider launched a new CodeRed System, which had been in the works. Our provider assures us that the new CodeRED platform resides on a non-compromised, separate environment and that they completed a comprehensive security audit and engaged external experts for additional penetration testing and hardening. - Does this incident impact the new CodeRed system?
No. Our provider informs that it resides in a non-compromised, separate environment. It also informed that they completed a comprehensive security audit and as engaged external experts for additional penetration testing and hardening. - When did this event occur?
Our provider notified us of the cybersecurity incident in November. - What is the Provider doing to respond to this issue?
The provider informed us that it promptly took steps to secure its systems, launched an investigation, and engaged external cybersecurity experts to assist. The provider decommissioned the OnSolve CodeRED platform and is the process of moving all customers to its new CodeRED platform. - What information of users was involved?
The provider is still investigating this matter, however, the provider informs that the affected personal information appears to be limited to contact information: name, address, email address, phone numbers and/or associated passwords used to create user profiles for alerts. If users have the same password for any other personal or business accounts, those passwords should be changed immediately. - Does this mean that users are victims of identity theft?
We have no evidence that any user information has been used to carry out identity theft and/or fraud. - Why did this happen?
Unfortunately, there have been rising cybersecurity risks and penetrations across many organizations as of late.
CodeRED Emergency Notifications
When rapid notification is necessary in response to public safety emergencies like floods, chemical spills, gas leaks or bomb threats, the CodeRED Notification System is a valuable communications tool.
The City of University Park has contracted with Emergency Communications Network, Inc., of Ormond Beach, Florida for its "CodeRED" high-speed telephone emergency notification services. The CodeRED system gives City officials the ability to deliver pre-recorded emergency telephone notification/information messages to targeted areas or the entire city at a rate up to 60,000 calls per hour.
Make Sure You Are in the CodeRED Database
Public databases have been used to collect telephone numbers for existing University Park homes and businesses.
However, since databases contain outdated information, no one should assume their phone number is included. For that reason, University Park residents and businesses are urged to register, especially those who:
- Have an unlisted phone number
- Have changed their phone number or address in the last year
- Use their cell phone as their home phone
It's Easy to Enroll in CodeRED
Required information: First and last name, street address (not P.O. Box), city, state, zip code, and primary phone number. A second phone number can be added.
Additional enrollment options include:
- For those who are hearing impaired, the enrollment page has a TDD Only option for tone delivery of emergency messages. Messages delivered to phone numbers marked TDD will only be delivered in a TDD/TTY format.
- Those without Internet access may call (Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm) to enroll.
- Do not call list. If you don't want to be contacted when the CodeRED Notification System is used or you need more information about CodeRED, call the City's Emergency Management Office at 214-987-5380.
Weather Warnings
In Texas severe weather is relatively common, especially in the spring and summer. Because it's impossible to be aware of approaching dangerous weather conditions at all times, you can help protect your home and family by signing up for CodeRed Weather Warnings.
With CodeRed Weather Warnings, whenever the National Weather Service issues a severe thunderstorm, tornado or flash flood warning, and the geographically based CodeRed system determines that your address is in the path of the storm, you will receive an immediate call with that warning information. Because of the accuracy of this system, you won't receive calls for weather warnings outside the path of the address you register.
Enrollment
If you sign-up to receive CodeRED Weather Warning calls please note:
- To change your contact information or notification preferences at some point in the future, you must fill out the Account Creation section of the enrollment form when you sign-up to begin the service.
- For residents who check caller-ID before answering the phone, all CodeRED Weather Warnings will display the number in the caller-ID box.
Discontinue Weather Warning Calls
If you no longer want to receive the automatic weather warning messages dial 800-566-9780 from the phone that receives the Weather Warning calls, then push option 2 to "opt out" of weather related calls only.