Neenah schools investigating apparent cyberattack; classes canceled Wednesday | WLUK
Neenah schools investigating apparent cyberattack; classes canceled Wednesday
by Gabriella Premus, FOX 11 NewsTuesday, January 11th 2022
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Neenah schools are investigating what the district is calling a technology security situation on Tuesday, January 11, 2022. (WLUK)
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Neenah schools are investigating what the district is calling a technology security situation on Tuesday, January 11, 2022. (WLUK)
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NEENAH, Wis. (WLUK) -- Neenah schools had to close unexpectedly Tuesday after the superintendent said it had what sounds like a cyberattack.
The Neenah Joint School District discovered various technology systems down early Monday morning.
Internet and phones are down at all schools in the district.
Holly Van Zeeland has three kids in the district. They're home Tuesday, due to what the district is calling a 'technology security situation." She's concerned because it's finals week for Neenah High School.
“Everything that they use is something online. So they can’t get into their email, their school accounts, the teachers can't send them a message about what they should be doing today. So yeah, it's kind of a free day," said Van Zeeland.
“We became aware of an IT concern and a third problem attempting to access our serve," said district superintendent Mary Pfeiffer.
Pfeiffer says local and federal law enforcement, including cybersecurity experts, are investigating the situation.
She says parents and students shouldn't worry about final tests or grades being in jeopardy.
“It's going to be okay. We’re going to work closely with the administration team at the high school, as well as the teachers to ensure that everyone is in a good place," said Pfeiffer.
Neenah schools are investigating what the district is calling a technology security situation on Tuesday, January 11, 2022. (WLUK)
The school district doesn't believe any personal or confidential information has been compromised.
FOX 11 asked, "before this situation occurred, was cybersecurity a priority for the school district?"
“I would be comfortable saying that cybersecurity is important for not only all school districts, but businesses, and it doesn't discriminate against anyone and that's the challenge," said Pfeiffer.
Pfeiffer says the district doesn't know what security deficiencies may have caused this.
She says the district is meeting constantly to find out and share more information.
Van Zeeland says her teenagers are using it as a day to relax and catch up.
“At the same time, it was like a snow day for them. So they were actually pretty ecstatic," said Van Zeeland.
But she looks forward to the situation resolving soon.
On Tuesday evening, the district announced that all schools will be closed on Wednesday as services continue to be restored. Technology staff will work to restore the phone and wireless systems, as well as staff access to digital files. The district says it is confident the restoration of those services will be completed on Wednesday, with a likely return to school on Thursday.
Therefore, the first semester will extend one week and conclude on Friday, Jan. 21.
The district says when students go back to school, they will work in a non-digital environment, possibly into next week.
by Gabriella Premus, FOX 11 NewsTuesday, January 11th 2022
UserWay icon for accessibility widget
Neenah schools are investigating what the district is calling a technology security situation on Tuesday, January 11, 2022. (WLUK)
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Neenah schools are investigating what the district is calling a technology security situation on Tuesday, January 11, 2022. (WLUK)
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NEENAH, Wis. (WLUK) -- Neenah schools had to close unexpectedly Tuesday after the superintendent said it had what sounds like a cyberattack.
The Neenah Joint School District discovered various technology systems down early Monday morning.
Internet and phones are down at all schools in the district.
Holly Van Zeeland has three kids in the district. They're home Tuesday, due to what the district is calling a 'technology security situation." She's concerned because it's finals week for Neenah High School.
“Everything that they use is something online. So they can’t get into their email, their school accounts, the teachers can't send them a message about what they should be doing today. So yeah, it's kind of a free day," said Van Zeeland.
“We became aware of an IT concern and a third problem attempting to access our serve," said district superintendent Mary Pfeiffer.
Pfeiffer says local and federal law enforcement, including cybersecurity experts, are investigating the situation.
She says parents and students shouldn't worry about final tests or grades being in jeopardy.
“It's going to be okay. We’re going to work closely with the administration team at the high school, as well as the teachers to ensure that everyone is in a good place," said Pfeiffer.
Neenah schools are investigating what the district is calling a technology security situation on Tuesday, January 11, 2022. (WLUK)
The school district doesn't believe any personal or confidential information has been compromised.
FOX 11 asked, "before this situation occurred, was cybersecurity a priority for the school district?"
“I would be comfortable saying that cybersecurity is important for not only all school districts, but businesses, and it doesn't discriminate against anyone and that's the challenge," said Pfeiffer.
Pfeiffer says the district doesn't know what security deficiencies may have caused this.
She says the district is meeting constantly to find out and share more information.
Van Zeeland says her teenagers are using it as a day to relax and catch up.
“At the same time, it was like a snow day for them. So they were actually pretty ecstatic," said Van Zeeland.
But she looks forward to the situation resolving soon.
On Tuesday evening, the district announced that all schools will be closed on Wednesday as services continue to be restored. Technology staff will work to restore the phone and wireless systems, as well as staff access to digital files. The district says it is confident the restoration of those services will be completed on Wednesday, with a likely return to school on Thursday.
Therefore, the first semester will extend one week and conclude on Friday, Jan. 21.
The district says when students go back to school, they will work in a non-digital environment, possibly into next week.
