Stephen F. Austin State University faced a cyberattack on June 12, resulting in the theft of 8,600 counseling records and about 100 government-issued identification numbers. In response, the university disconnected from the internet to contain the hack, leading to partial restoration of online services. Despite efforts, the FBI is investigating the incident, causing ongoing disruptions for students, especially those in summer courses. The university, currently in the process of joining the UT System, has restored certain services but faces challenges in returning to normal operations.
University spokesperson Graham Garner confirmed the FBI’s involvement, but details about the investigation remain undisclosed. While internet access and online teaching portals have been partially restored, students, like Macie Torres, have experienced significant disruptions. Torres, an online student pursuing an early childhood education degree, faced midterms and crucial coursework with interrupted access to professors and classmates. The incident occurred between June 10-12, prompting immediate measures to cut off internet access and prevent further breaches.
The University of Texas System is assisting Stephen F. Austin State University in investigating and responding to the cyberattack. Despite the restoration of certain services, students report ongoing challenges with online learning platforms and assignments. The university issued a caution to avoid clicking on any suspicious email links related to password resets, emphasizing that such communications are phishing attempts. The FBI’s involvement underscores the severity of the situation, highlighting the growing trend of cyberattacks targeting educational institutions for sensitive information and research data.
