The Alabama State Department of Education faced a recent cyber attack, Superintendent Eric Mackey confirmed. The attack, intercepted by state cybersecurity personnel, managed to breach some student and teacher data before being halted. Mackey emphasized ongoing investigations into the extent of the data accessed, working closely with law enforcement, the Alabama Attorney General, and cybersecurity experts to reinforce defenses and assess potential compromises.
Services have since been restored, accompanied by enhanced cybersecurity measures. The department clarified that sensitive financial data like credit card or bank routing numbers were not affected, as these are not stored within their systems. Mackey stressed the department’s stance against negotiating with hackers for ransom, following FBI guidance, and assured that all data was restored from clean backups, preventing further disruption.
While details on the exact nature and scope of the breach remain under investigation, Mackey assured affected parties would be notified in compliance with applicable laws and best practices. He encouraged vigilance among educators regarding potential identity theft risks and affirmed the department’s commitment to maintaining robust cybersecurity protocols to safeguard sensitive information.
