State and federal law enforcement authorities are assisting local police as they investigate a possible “cyber intrusion” at a government-run school district in rural Calhoun county, South Carolina. Unfortunately, little is known about who was targeted by the “intruders” – and what information may have been taken during the alleged breach.
Parents were reportedly notified of the incident earlier this week via an automated call from deputy district superintendent Ferlondo Tullock.
According to a parent who received Tullock’s message, the call informed them that personal information in possession of the district may have been “compromised” – and that they should take precautions to protect themselves.
Parents were also informed that law enforcement agencies – including the S.C. State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) – had been notified of the situation and had launched an investigation. Beyond that, little additional information was provided on Tullock’s recorded message – and the district has yet to send any written communication to parents or the local media about what happened.
Sources at SLED confirmed to this news outlet that their agency was “assisting” with the Calhoun county school district inquiry – but declined to elaborate as to its nature. A source familiar with the federal component of the investigation was a bit more specific, referring to “a potential breach” linked to a possible “cyber intrusion.” That source also declined to discuss the nature of the breach, or the type of information that may have been “compromised.”
(Click to view)
(Via: Calhoun County Public Schools)
Not surprisingly, the situation has left parents in Calhoun county scratching their heads … and looking for answers from district leaders.
“How do you take appropriate measures to protect what you don’t know was breached?” once concerned parent asked us. “The information given to parents was vague.”
The parent added that while they did not wish “to hinder the investigation by prematurely asking questions” they would nonetheless feel “more confident in the situation if more (information) was shared about whatever sparked the investigation” and if parents could be provided with “contact numbers or websites that can give tips on how to make personal information more secure.”
Stay tuned … hopefully we will be able to update our readers soon with some more specific information about this developing situation.
UPDATE: Attack involved ransomware …
-FITSNews
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(VIA: GETTY IMAGES)