Richmond Community Schools in Richmond, Indiana, confirmed a data breach following a ransomware attack on Friday, September 27, 2024. The breach targeted the district’s data services network, compromising sensitive information, including data related to students and staff stored in PowerSchool. Although no misuse of the stolen data has been reported at this time, the district has taken immediate steps to contain the situation by shutting down the affected network. Local, state, and federal agencies are assisting with the investigation to determine the extent of the attack and ensure that all necessary precautions are being taken.
As a result of the attack, the school district announced that it could take several days to restore full functionality of its systems. The district is working diligently to bring all systems back online, but it has warned that the recovery process may be lengthy. To mitigate disruptions, Richmond Community Schools implemented a two-hour delay for Monday, September 30, 2024. During this time, bus schedules will be adjusted, and morning half-day preschool classes will be canceled.
In addition to the scheduling changes, teachers have been instructed to prepare “low-tech” lesson plans for the days ahead, as technology systems remain down. The school district has emphasized its commitment to resolving the issue as quickly as possible while maintaining the safety and security of its systems and data. The breach has disrupted the normal operations of the district, but they are working closely with authorities to ensure all vulnerabilities are addressed and to prevent further incidents.
Richmond Community Schools reassured the public that they are taking the situation seriously and are doing everything in their power to restore services. The district is keeping families and staff informed as more details become available, and it expressed gratitude for the community’s patience during the ongoing investigation and recovery process.
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