Threat Management

Ransomware hits, but doesn’t stop, the Pittsburgh Unified School District

The Pittsburgh Unified School District is still recovering from a ransomware attack that took place over the holiday recess, but its superintendent says school is open for business.

Janet Schulze, Superintendent, Pittsburg (Calif.) Unified School District, told district members in a statement that students are welcomed back while the district’s IT department struggles to recover from a ransomware attack, but noted the kids may be getting an unexpected history lesson.

“We are all set for school tomorrow! We will be teaching and learning like "back in the day" ...without laptops and internet. Our schools have access to student information and our phones are working. We still are not able to receive email, so please call your child's school if needed,” Schulze said on January 6.

Last week the Richmond, Mich., Community School district was forced to delay its re-opening when it was struck by a ransomware attack.

The exact date the attack took place was not reported, but the district has been forced to take offline servers, both affected and potentially affected, to help mitigate the situation. Outside cybersecurity teams have been called in to help and at this time it is not believed that information has been compromised.

One area directly impacting students is that the district’s AERIES online grading system is not up so parents and students do not yet have access to last semester’s graded.  

The good news for the students is food services is up and running in all school cafeterias.  

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