The Catholic University of Valencia (UCV) in Spain has reported a significant ransomware attack that has compromised sensitive information stored on its servers. This malicious incident has resulted in the encryption of various types of data, including personal identification details, financial records, academic information, employment data, and health-related records. The university’s administration emphasized the seriousness of the attack and is taking immediate measures to address the situation and protect the integrity of its systems.
Upon discovering the breach, UCV promptly reinforced its cybersecurity protocols and has enlisted the expertise of cybersecurity professionals and relevant authorities to investigate the incident. In their official statement, the university acknowledged the ongoing investigation but confirmed that certain critical data types had been encrypted. They are actively working to determine whether unauthorized access or use of the encrypted data has occurred, although there have been no confirmed reports of data leakage as of now.
In addition to addressing the immediate threat, UCV is implementing a comprehensive response strategy to mitigate the impact on its university community. The institution has reassured students and staff that it possesses backup copies of the compromised data. These backups will be restored once security measures are fully validated, allowing the affected services to resume as soon as possible. Meanwhile, UCV has advised its community to refrain from changing passwords in response to the attack, aiming to minimize further complications during the recovery process.
As part of its response to the incident, UCV is also taking the necessary legal steps by filing a complaint with law enforcement and the Spanish Data Protection Agency (AEPD). This proactive approach aims to ensure accountability and compliance with data protection regulations. The university remains committed to transparency throughout this process and will keep its community informed as new developments arise, reaffirming its dedication to maintaining the security and privacy of its users.
