Confidential documents stolen from schools and released online by ransomware groups contain disturbing and personal information about students, including accounts of sexual assaults, psychiatric hospitalizations, abusive parents, truancy, and suicide attempts.
The Minneapolis Public Schools, targeted in a ransomware attack, refused to pay a $1 million ransom, resulting in more than 300,000 files being dumped online. These files included complete sexual assault case folios, medical records, discrimination complaints, and personal information of district employees.
School districts, often facing financial constraints, are ill-prepared to defend against cyberattacks and struggle to respond effectively, particularly as they deal with the challenges of the pandemic and shrinking budgets. Unlike hospitals, there is no federal law mandating that schools notify individual victims of data breaches.
School systems have become prime targets for cybercriminals due to their wealth of digitized data, but they have been slower than other sectors to implement robust cybersecurity measures. Ransomware attacks have likely affected more than 5 million U.S. students, with the number expected to rise. However, limited funds are often allocated to other educational priorities, leaving cybersecurity underfunded. The consequences of these attacks extend beyond financial costs and closures; they expose private records, causing significant emotional distress to staff, students, and parents.
The stolen data, including psychological evaluations and medical records, are sold on the dark web, and the public disclosure of sensitive information can have lasting psychological and professional effects.
When cyberattacks occur, schools are often advised against full transparency due to legal liability concerns and ransom negotiations. Minneapolis school officials initially downplayed the attack as a “system incident” or “technical difficulties,” withholding information from parents and teachers.
Districts lack adequate cybersecurity staff and struggle to retain talent, as they are unable to compete with the salaries offered by the private sector. The limited funding available for cybersecurity in public schools further exacerbates the problem. Efforts to secure additional funds through federal grants and programs are ongoing, but the issue remains a significant challenge.
The aftermath of these attacks leaves victims feeling violated and exposed, with private information available online for an extended period. The emotional impact on students, their families, and staff is profound, exacerbating the already dire consequences of cyberattacks on schools. The need for improved cybersecurity measures and increased funding to protect sensitive student data is urgent, but the current landscape suggests a long road ahead in securing schools from future attacks and mitigating the psychological and professional harm caused by data breaches.
