Ransomware Attack Exposes Personal Information of Colorado Students and Staff
The Colorado Department of Education was hit by a ransomware attack that exposed the personal information of thousands of students and staff. The attack was discovered in June 2023, and the department has been working with third-party investigators to determine the extent of the breach.
The breach affected students and staff who attended or worked for public schools in Colorado between 2004 and 2020. The exposed information includes names, addresses, Social Security numbers, and student identification numbers. The department is notifying those affected by the breach and is offering them two years of free credit monitoring.
The ransomware attack is the latest in a string of cyberattacks that have targeted schools and other education institutions in recent years. In 2021, a ransomware attack on the University of Colorado Boulder forced the university to cancel classes for a week.
The attacks highlight the growing cybersecurity threat to schools and other education institutions. Schools need to take steps to protect their data and systems from cyberattacks, including:
- Implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA)
- Regularly backing up data
- Training staff on how to identify and avoid phishing attacks
- Having a plan for responding to cyberattacks
In addition to taking steps to protect their data, schools should also notify students and staff about the risks of cyberattacks and provide them with information about how to protect themselves.
The Colorado Department of Education is taking steps to improve its cybersecurity posture following the ransomware attack. The department is implementing new security measures and is providing additional training to staff.
The department is also working to raise awareness of the cybersecurity threat among students and staff. The department is urging students and staff to be vigilant about protecting their personal information and to report any suspicious activity.
The ransomware attack on the Colorado Department of Education is a reminder of the growing cybersecurity threat to schools and other education institutions. Schools need to take steps to protect their data and systems from cyberattacks and to provide students and staff with information about how to protect themselves.