Toronto school district says data not deleted after ransom was paid to hacker
The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) has revealed troubling news to parents and staff regarding the aftermath of a cyberattack. Despite paying a ransom to the hacker by PowerSchool, the ed tech company involved in the breach, TDSB has received threats indicating that sensitive data may still be at risk.
Key Points
- TDSB informed parents of a new communication from a hacker demanding ransom, despite previous assurances about data deletion.
- PowerSchool had earlier claimed that the data was deleted after the ransom was paid, but TDSB suggests the opposite may be true.
- The breach affected over 6,500 schools, exposing personal data dating back to 1985, including names, healthcare numbers, and medical information.
- Four school boards are reportedly facing similar ransom solicitation from hackers.
- TDSB is collaborating with law enforcement and the Ontario Privacy Commissioner on the matter.
Why should I read this?
This article is a must-read if you’re concerned about data privacy in schools, especially as the TDSB deals with ongoing threats from hackers. With sensitive information about children at stake, understanding how this situation is unfolding could help you grasp the broader implications for educational institutions and data security policies.