On April 17, 2025, the Limestone District School Board in Kingston, Ontario, confirmed a cyber incident had disrupted their network. The disruption, which began the previous day, led the school board to advise families to call directly for student absences. Director of Education Krishna Burra stated that the board had contacted local police and cybersecurity experts to assess the damage. While all schools remained open, the network stayed offline until a safe restoration could occur.
The Kingston Police were notified and recommended that the school board contact the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Cyber Security Unit for further investigation.
The OPP is recognized as the expert unit for handling cyber incidents. The school board’s statement emphasized their commitment to restoring services and ensuring the safety of the network. They reassured families that operations would continue, though some digital services remained unavailable during the recovery period.
As the situation developed, the Limestone District School Board promised to provide further updates to families and staff. They expressed gratitude for the patience and understanding shown by the community while dealing with the aftermath of the attack. The school board also apologized for the inconvenience caused by the disruption, acknowledging the seriousness of the situation.
Their focus remained on working with authorities and cybersecurity specialists to fully resolve the issue.
This cyber incident raised significant concerns about the safety of digital systems in educational institutions. As schools increasingly rely on technology, such disruptions highlight the importance of robust cybersecurity measures. The Limestone District School Board’s prompt response and coordination with local authorities demonstrate their commitment to addressing the situation and protecting their networks. The incident also serves as a reminder of the evolving nature of cybersecurity threats faced by educational institutions in Canada.
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