Manassas City Public Schools (MCPS) initiated a system-wide closure on Monday in response to a significant cybersecurity incident. The disruption, which was reported by officials, has resulted in extensive connectivity issues and phone outages throughout the entire school district’s operations. The sudden closure aims to address the technical complications arising from the security breach and mitigate any further risk to the MCPS infrastructure.
MCPS Superintendent Dr. Kevin Newman communicated the decision via a Sunday Facebook post, announcing that all district schools would be shuttered on November 10th. He characterized the closure as a necessary precautionary measure designed to safeguard the security and safety of students, faculty, and administrative personnel. Crucially, Dr. Newman reassured the community that, despite the system disruption, the physical school campuses themselves are not in any danger or at risk.
The primary objective of the closure is to allocate dedicated time and resources for system recovery. According to Newman, the downtime will enable the internal information technology department to work in close cooperation with external cybersecurity specialists. This collaborative effort is essential for securing all affected systems and developing a comprehensive plan for restoring full operational capacity across the school district.
Acknowledging the disruptive nature of the situation, the superintendent addressed the community’s potential frustration and concern. Dr. Newman noted, “We understand that this situation may cause concern and inconvenience for our families.” The district is focused on navigating the challenges posed by the incident while prioritizing the continuity of operations once the systems are stabilized.
In closing, MCPS emphasized its dedication to transparency throughout the incident response. The district has committed to maintaining open communication channels and providing regular updates to the community as the restoration process moves forward. The immediate focus remains on resolving the technical vulnerabilities and returning to a secure learning and working environment for everyone involved.
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