Home Nonprofit & Education Education Providence schools confirm ‘unauthorized access’ in computer network; files may have been...

Providence schools confirm ‘unauthorized access’ in computer network; files may have been stolen

By

James Bessette

-

09/25/2024

PROVIDENCE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT Javier Montañez on Wednesday says the district has confirmed that unauthorized access occurred within the district's digital network. / COURTESY CLASSICAL HIGH SCHOOL — PROVIDENCE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT Javier Montañez on Wednesday said the district has confirmed that unauthorized access occurred within the district's digital network. / COURTESY CLASSICAL HIGH SCHOOL

PROVIDENCE – Providence Public Schools District Superintendent Javier Montañez said in a message to the school community on Wednesday that the district has obtained confirmation that unauthorized access has occurred in its digital network. Moreover, Montañez said an “unverified anonymous group” has claimed it has obtained PPSD files as part of the network security breach

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PROVIDENCE – Providence Public Schools District Superintendent Javier Montañez said in a message to the school community on Wednesday that the district has obtained confirmation that unauthorized access has occurred in its digital network. Moreover, Montañez said an “unverified anonymous group” has claimed it has obtained PPSD files as part of the network security breach that was first discovered on Sept. 11 and confirmed by PPSD school board President Erlin R. Rogel a week later. While the district cannot confirm the files’ authenticity and verify the group’s claims that it obtained said files, Montañez said there could be concerns that the alleged documents “could contain personal information.” Earlier this month, HackManac, an international cybersecurity company, posted on X claiming that a ransomware group called Medusa had breached PPSD. The post alleges that financial data, correspondence, and students’ and teachers’ data were among the information stolen by Medusa and the group demanded a $1 million payment from the district to get the files back by Wednesday. Montañez did not say in his latest communication if Medusa was the group claiming to have obtained PPSD files. He says the district is still gathering information and analyzing to better understand what had occurred, what was impacted and what action needs to be taken. “We will continue to work with our partners to fully understand the potential exposure and should it be needed, provide additional guidance and resources to students, families, and staff if they were impacted,” Montañez said. “The safety of our school community and the security of personal information is a top priority here at PPSD, and we will communicate any additional information on this matter as it becomes available.” Internet connectivity within the district’s schools has since been restored. James Bessette is the PBN special projects editor, and also covers the nonprofit and education sectors. You may reach him at Bessette@PBN.com. You may also follow him on X at @James_Bessette.