Thousands of Baltimore students, teachers affected by data breach following February ransomware attack
Summary
Thousands of individuals within the Baltimore City Public Schools system had their information compromised during a ransomware attack that occurred in February. The attack exposed certain IT systems, affecting around 1.5% of the student population and revealing sensitive data belonging to employees, volunteers, and contractors. Despite the breach, no ransom was reportedly paid, and officials are taking steps to enhance cybersecurity measures and communicate with those affected.
Key Points
- The ransomware attack occurred on February 13 and impacted Baltimore City Public Schools’ IT systems.
- Approximately 1.5% of the student population, which is over 1,150 students, were affected by the breach.
- Data compromised included Social Security numbers, driver’s licence numbers, student attendance records, and personal files of employees.
- About 25,000 people were reported to be affected, including current and former employees, as well as those employed since 2010.
- No ransom was paid, and officials claim the incident did not significantly disrupt school operations.
- The school system has contacted law enforcement and hired cybersecurity firms to aid in recovery.
- Impacted individuals are being offered two years of credit monitoring and access to a call centre for inquiries regarding the incident.
Why should I read this?
This article sheds light on a serious data breach affecting a major educational institution and highlights concerning trends in school cybersecurity. It’s a wake-up call for those in education and beyond—it shows the real risks posed by cyberattacks in our daily lives. Don’t let this be swept under the rug; stay informed so you know how to protect yourself and your community.