The Ihecs (Institute of Advanced Studies in Social Communications) in Brussels was hit by a ransomware attack, revealed by Jean-François Raskin, the general administrator of the institute. The attack, believed to have resulted from a phishing procedure, infected the university’s computer system. The ransomware locked and encrypted crucial data, disrupting operations and leaving the institute scrambling to contain the damage. The breach was detected on August 2, and since then, a crisis unit has been set up to address the issue. A company specializing in cybercrime has also been called in to assist.
Jean-François Raskin reported that while the institute is working hard to mitigate the impact, some data has already been deleted and is likely not recoverable. The most concerning aspect of the attack is its impact on student registrations. For students who registered before July 20, there appear to be no issues. However, for those attempting to register after that date, the process has become problematic, raising concerns about delays and data loss.
Efforts are being made to recover the lost data, but the ransomware has severely disrupted key operations at Ihecs. The institute is focusing on restoring its systems while also exploring alternatives to protect students’ information moving forward. This incident highlights the increasing risk posed by cyberattacks on academic institutions, as more data and operations become reliant on digital systems.
A meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday to further discuss the ongoing situation and find solutions to the registration issues caused by the attack. The outcome of this meeting will likely determine the next steps for Ihecs as it continues to recover from the ransomware incident.
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