Details emerge from summer cybersecurity breach in eastern Iowa
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The Linn-Mar School District has given an update after a ransomware attack hit the district back in July, KCRG reports.District Superintendent Shannon Bisgard noted in a message to school families and staff that the district’s functionality was restored and that student data was not affected by the event. However, employee data may have been.In a statement, Bisgard noted:“On or around July 31, 2022, Linn-Mar identified unusual activity on certain systems in the environment. Linn-Mar quickly disconnected these systems and commenced an extensive investigation to determine the nature and scope of the activity. Linn-Mar also promptly reported this event to federal law enforcement.Through the investigation, Linn-Mar determined that an unknown actor gained access to certain systems and conducted activity on those systems between July 26, 2022 and August 1, 2022. While Linn-Mar has no evidence of actual or attempted misuse of any information, Linn-Mar could not rule out the possibility of access to current and former employee data present in the affected systems.Therefore, Linn-Mar undertook a lengthy and labor-intensive process to identify what information was contained therein and to whom it related. On or around September 20, 2022, Linn-Mar completed this review and began the process of notifying impacted individuals on October 7, 2022.The notification to impacted individuals includes access to complimentary credit monitoring services.No student data was impacted as a result of this event, as student data is stored on a third-party system that was not affected.”The FBI says the hacking group Vice Society is increasingly targeting school districts nationwide. The group targets schools because of the amount of sensitive staff and student data, and then threatens to publish the information unless a ransom is paid.Cedar Rapids Schools also faced a ransomware attack in July. The district paid a ransom but refused to say how much or give any other specifics on the attack.KCRG obtained images showing a computer at Linn-Mar that claimed the hacking group had encrypted the district’s files.You can also read the Linn-Mar superintendent’s full message to families and staff below:As you may be aware, on July 31, 2022, an event was detected that impacted the district’s systems for a short period of time. The systems were quickly disconnected, and an extensive investigation commenced to determine the nature and scope of the activity. Thankfully, the district’s functionality was restored. However, the investigation indicates that certain employee data may have been impacted.We want to let you know that the incident did NOT impact student data since it is stored on a third-party system, which was not affected by the event.The confidentiality, privacy, and security of employee and dependent personal information are among the district’s highest priorities. The district remains committed to safeguarding this information and will continue to take steps to ensure the security of all district systems and information.Sincerely,Shannon Bisgard, SuperintendentLinn-Mar Community School District
The Linn-Mar School District has given an update after a ransomware attack hit the district back in July, KCRG reports.
District Superintendent Shannon Bisgard noted in a message to school families and staff that the district’s functionality was restored and that student data was not affected by the event. However, employee data may have been.
In a statement, Bisgard noted:
“On or around July 31, 2022, Linn-Mar identified unusual activity on certain systems in the environment. Linn-Mar quickly disconnected these systems and commenced an extensive investigation to determine the nature and scope of the activity. Linn-Mar also promptly reported this event to federal law enforcement.
Through the investigation, Linn-Mar determined that an unknown actor gained access to certain systems and conducted activity on those systems between July 26, 2022 and August 1, 2022. While Linn-Mar has no evidence of actual or attempted misuse of any information, Linn-Mar could not rule out the possibility of access to current and former employee data present in the affected systems.
Therefore, Linn-Mar undertook a lengthy and labor-intensive process to identify what information was contained therein and to whom it related. On or around September 20, 2022, Linn-Mar completed this review and began the process of notifying impacted individuals on October 7, 2022.
The notification to impacted individuals includes access to complimentary credit monitoring services.
No student data was impacted as a result of this event, as student data is stored on a third-party system that was not affected.”
The FBI says the hacking group Vice Society is increasingly targeting school districts nationwide. The group targets schools because of the amount of sensitive staff and student data, and then threatens to publish the information unless a ransom is paid.
Cedar Rapids Schools also faced a ransomware attack in July. The district paid a ransom but refused to say how much or give any other specifics on the attack.
KCRG obtained images showing a computer at Linn-Mar that claimed the hacking group had encrypted the district’s files.
You can also read the Linn-Mar superintendent’s full message to families and staff below:
As you may be aware, on July 31, 2022, an event was detected that impacted the district’s systems for a short period of time. The systems were quickly disconnected, and an extensive investigation commenced to determine the nature and scope of the activity. Thankfully, the district’s functionality was restored. However, the investigation indicates that certain employee data may have been impacted.
We want to let you know that the incident did NOT impact student data since it is stored on a third-party system, which was not affected by the event.
The confidentiality, privacy, and security of employee and dependent personal information are among the district’s highest priorities. The district remains committed to safeguarding this information and will continue to take steps to ensure the security of all district systems and information.
Sincerely,
Shannon Bisgard, Superintendent
Linn-Mar Community School District
Gloss