Officials from the Department of Homeland Security and law enforcement sources have stated there is no indication of a cyberattack or criminal activity behind the FAA's nationwide ground stop, attributing the communications failure across air traffic control centers instead to a temporary telecommunications outage or possible software update. The FBI is reportedly examining whether a routine system change triggered the radio frequency and radar disruptions rather than malicious hacking, aligning with the agency's history of technical issues tied to outdated infrastructure. Early preliminary reports and public statements from Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy reinforced a non-malicious technical cause, limiting speculation about attribution to a hack and supporting the strong market consensus against that outcome.