Albuquerque Schools Confirm Ransomware Attack,
Albuquerque Schools Confirm Ransomware Attack, Resume Class
Albuquerque Public Schools officials have confirmed the nature of a cyber attack that forced the district to cancel classes for two days, affecting 75,000 students.
By Associated Press
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Jan. 18, 2022, at 8:59 p.m.
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U.S. News & World Report
Albuquerque Schools Confirm Ransomware Attack, Resume Class
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By CEDAR ATTANASIO, Associated Press / Report for America
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Albuquerque Public Schools officials said Tuesday a cyber threat that forced the district to cancel classes for two days last week was a ransomware extortion attack.
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Ransomware attacks hold institutional data hostage, such as by locking it away through encryption and offering the key to access it in exchange for money. In Albuquerque, that included the student information system, which records attendance, emergency contacts, and lists of which adults are authorized to pick up which children from school.
Personal data can be repurposed by cybercriminals to commit other crimes, such as identity fraud, but school officials say they don't think that happened.
“At this time, there is no evidence that information about staff, students and families was compromised,” said Albuquerque school district superintendent John Elder.
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Two days of closures last week affecting some 75,000 students will have to be made up later in the year, like snow days.
Many details of the attack are being withheld citing an ongoing investigation into the hackers. Elder declined to say if a ransom has been paid, and said that such a measure would be a “public process.”
Classes resumed Tuesday thanks to a workaround that allowed teachers to access the student information systems, Elder said.
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Attanasio is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues. Follow Attanasio on Twitter.
Albuquerque Public Schools officials have confirmed the nature of a cyber attack that forced the district to cancel classes for two days, affecting 75,000 students.
By Associated Press
|
Jan. 18, 2022, at 8:59 p.m.
Save
More
U.S. News & World Report
Albuquerque Schools Confirm Ransomware Attack, Resume Class
More
By CEDAR ATTANASIO, Associated Press / Report for America
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Albuquerque Public Schools officials said Tuesday a cyber threat that forced the district to cancel classes for two days last week was a ransomware extortion attack.
Recommended Videos
Powered by AnyClip
Fairfax Co. School Board's proposal to ban guns on all school properties
886
Play Video
Ad: (17)
Fairfax Co. School Board's proposal to ban guns on all school propertiesNOW PLAYING
Student heckled amid Indian state school hijab ban
Maryland governor calls for end to mask mandates in schools
UCLA cancels in-person classes following lecturer threats
UCLA cancels in--person classes following professor threats
Ransomware attacks hold institutional data hostage, such as by locking it away through encryption and offering the key to access it in exchange for money. In Albuquerque, that included the student information system, which records attendance, emergency contacts, and lists of which adults are authorized to pick up which children from school.
Personal data can be repurposed by cybercriminals to commit other crimes, such as identity fraud, but school officials say they don't think that happened.
“At this time, there is no evidence that information about staff, students and families was compromised,” said Albuquerque school district superintendent John Elder.
Political Cartoons
View All 418 Images
Two days of closures last week affecting some 75,000 students will have to be made up later in the year, like snow days.
Many details of the attack are being withheld citing an ongoing investigation into the hackers. Elder declined to say if a ransom has been paid, and said that such a measure would be a “public process.”
Classes resumed Tuesday thanks to a workaround that allowed teachers to access the student information systems, Elder said.
___
Attanasio is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues. Follow Attanasio on Twitter.
