Cyberattack cripples NYC DOE's teacher disciplinary system
A ransomware attack has crippled the city’s teacher discipline system, The Post has learned.
A contractor that provides hearing transcripts for the city Department of Education, the Ubiqus Group, said it “was hit by a ransomware-type cybersecurity incident” on Dec. 4.
“As a precautionary measure, we have shut down all our IT systems across all our operating sites,” the company announced on its website.
In a ransomware attack, hackers seize a user’s data, folders or device until a “ransom” fee is paid. A DOE spokeswoman would not say whether a ransom had been demanded.
Pending a probe, the cyberattack shut down NYC termination hearings for tenured educators accused of incompetence or misconduct.
“This is serious. Transcripts are the lifeblood of these hearings,” said Betsy Combier, a paralegal who defends teachers and a blogger who first reported the malware attack. “You can’t do anything without the transcripts, you can’t do a closing. You can’t decide a case.”
Combier said she called the state Education Department and was told that a “forensic cyberteam” is investigating.
The city DOE said Ubiqus is contracted by the state.
“We are aware of the issue and are working directly with the state and UFT to reschedule a handful of hearings as early as this week,” said spokeswoman Sarah Casasnovas.
A contractor that provides hearing transcripts for the city Department of Education, the Ubiqus Group, said it “was hit by a ransomware-type cybersecurity incident” on Dec. 4.
“As a precautionary measure, we have shut down all our IT systems across all our operating sites,” the company announced on its website.
In a ransomware attack, hackers seize a user’s data, folders or device until a “ransom” fee is paid. A DOE spokeswoman would not say whether a ransom had been demanded.
Pending a probe, the cyberattack shut down NYC termination hearings for tenured educators accused of incompetence or misconduct.
“This is serious. Transcripts are the lifeblood of these hearings,” said Betsy Combier, a paralegal who defends teachers and a blogger who first reported the malware attack. “You can’t do anything without the transcripts, you can’t do a closing. You can’t decide a case.”
Combier said she called the state Education Department and was told that a “forensic cyberteam” is investigating.
The city DOE said Ubiqus is contracted by the state.
“We are aware of the issue and are working directly with the state and UFT to reschedule a handful of hearings as early as this week,” said spokeswoman Sarah Casasnovas.
