Ransomware cyber attack hits Milton Town School District Local News miltonindependentcom
Ransomware cyber attack hits Milton Town School District
Press Release
Published on Dec 18, 2023
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MTSD stated in its press release that although the financial audit was disrupted, the financial software and banking information remained unaffected. Student services files and personal student information also remained unaffected.
Photographed used under the Unsplash license
On Monday, Dec. 11, the Milton Town School District faced a ransomware attack that affected several files on the MTSD server. The compromised files are now encrypted and locked.
The school district quickly notified relevant authorities, triggering an immediate response.
MTSD is currently collaborating with the VT School Boards Insurance Trust, responsible for insurance coverage and technical support, particularly in cybersecurity. The MTSD has coverage for cybersecurity incidents.
Further support was sought by the district from the Vermont Agency of Education, Vermont Intelligence Center and the U.S. Department of Cybersecurity, according to a Dec. 14 press release from MTSD. Consultants conducted a forensic investigation to identify any compromised files and guided MTSD through the process of rebuilding and securely restoring the locked files.
Primarily impacting print services and business office files, the incident significantly disrupted business operations, including the district’s financial audit.
MTSD stated in its press release that although the financial audit was disrupted, financial software and banking information remained unaffected. MTSD will continue to pay employees and process bills. Student services files and personal student information also remained unaffected.
The student information system, email system and classroom learning management systems are still fully operational. This has ensured minimal disruption to the academic environment.
According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, the scale and number of cyber attacks increased during COVID-19 as more schools moved to remote learning and increased their reliance on IT services.
The K12 Security Information eXchange (K12 SIX), a national nonprofit dedicated solely to helping protect U.S. school districts against cyber attacks, found 1,619 cybersecurity-related incidents reported in U.S. public schools and districts from 2016-22.
Cyber Attack Techniques
Public schools, like MTSD, are contending with various cyber attack techniques. Perpetrators employ–
Ransomware: A type of malicious software, which attempts to block access to computer or data systems, with the attacker demanding a fee for system restoration.
Phishing: Using fraudulent email solicitations or deceptive websites to acquire sensitive data.
Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) Attacks: Overwhelm targets by impairing authorized network, system, or application use through multiple machines operating together.
Video conferencing disruptions: Disrupt teleconferences and online classrooms with inappropriate content and threatening language.
“The MTSD is extremely impressed with the quick and thorough response of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Cybersecurity. It is very reassuring to know that our government has strong systems in place to contend with these attacks, and that we have a high level of expertise working with us to ensure that our files - once restored, will be safe,” the press release states.
In expressing gratitude for community support during the cyberware attack, MTSD highlighted the assistance received from the Town of Milton, including the town office and library, in providing access to printers.
“We will continue to keep the community informed as we learn more,” the press release states.
Press Release
Published on Dec 18, 2023
PrintCopy article link
Save
Cyberattack stock
MTSD stated in its press release that although the financial audit was disrupted, the financial software and banking information remained unaffected. Student services files and personal student information also remained unaffected.
Photographed used under the Unsplash license
On Monday, Dec. 11, the Milton Town School District faced a ransomware attack that affected several files on the MTSD server. The compromised files are now encrypted and locked.
The school district quickly notified relevant authorities, triggering an immediate response.
MTSD is currently collaborating with the VT School Boards Insurance Trust, responsible for insurance coverage and technical support, particularly in cybersecurity. The MTSD has coverage for cybersecurity incidents.
Further support was sought by the district from the Vermont Agency of Education, Vermont Intelligence Center and the U.S. Department of Cybersecurity, according to a Dec. 14 press release from MTSD. Consultants conducted a forensic investigation to identify any compromised files and guided MTSD through the process of rebuilding and securely restoring the locked files.
Primarily impacting print services and business office files, the incident significantly disrupted business operations, including the district’s financial audit.
MTSD stated in its press release that although the financial audit was disrupted, financial software and banking information remained unaffected. MTSD will continue to pay employees and process bills. Student services files and personal student information also remained unaffected.
The student information system, email system and classroom learning management systems are still fully operational. This has ensured minimal disruption to the academic environment.
According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, the scale and number of cyber attacks increased during COVID-19 as more schools moved to remote learning and increased their reliance on IT services.
The K12 Security Information eXchange (K12 SIX), a national nonprofit dedicated solely to helping protect U.S. school districts against cyber attacks, found 1,619 cybersecurity-related incidents reported in U.S. public schools and districts from 2016-22.
Cyber Attack Techniques
Public schools, like MTSD, are contending with various cyber attack techniques. Perpetrators employ–
Ransomware: A type of malicious software, which attempts to block access to computer or data systems, with the attacker demanding a fee for system restoration.
Phishing: Using fraudulent email solicitations or deceptive websites to acquire sensitive data.
Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) Attacks: Overwhelm targets by impairing authorized network, system, or application use through multiple machines operating together.
Video conferencing disruptions: Disrupt teleconferences and online classrooms with inappropriate content and threatening language.
“The MTSD is extremely impressed with the quick and thorough response of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Cybersecurity. It is very reassuring to know that our government has strong systems in place to contend with these attacks, and that we have a high level of expertise working with us to ensure that our files - once restored, will be safe,” the press release states.
In expressing gratitude for community support during the cyberware attack, MTSD highlighted the assistance received from the Town of Milton, including the town office and library, in providing access to printers.
“We will continue to keep the community informed as we learn more,” the press release states.
