Students in the Shore Regional High School District in New Jersey faced potential exposure of sensitive personal data due to a cyberattack that occurred around April 13, 2023. The breach, which included names, social security numbers, dates of birth, financial information, and medical or health insurance details, prompted an extensive investigation by the district. Following the probe, officials discovered that certain files containing personal information might have been illicitly accessed and removed from the network.
Although the exact number of affected students was not immediately disclosed by school officials, the district took proactive steps to notify potentially impacted individuals. Notification letters were sent out to students on Friday, providing them with information about the incident and resources to safeguard their personal information. Shore Regional High School District, situated in West Long Branch, New Jersey, serves approximately 573 students in grades 9-12, according to state data.
The cyber breach highlights the increasing prevalence and severity of cyberattacks faced by educational institutions and organizations across various sectors. Notably, the incident echoes similar cybersecurity challenges encountered by other schools, such as Freehold Township and Tenafly Public Schools, underscoring the urgency for robust cybersecurity measures. In response to the breach, the district is offering complimentary identity monitoring and protection services for individuals whose social security numbers were potentially exposed, as part of its efforts to mitigate any potential misuse of the compromised data.