[BreachExchange] Cyberattack hits NSW Department of Education

[Sophia Kingsbury]

https://www.theeducatoronline.com/k12/news/cyberattack-hits-nsw-department-of-education/277726

The NSW Department of Education was hit by a cyberattack on Wednesday, just
hours after it was announced that the state’s schools should prepare for
remote learning.

In response to the attack, a number of internal systems were deactivated by
the Department as a precaution and have been unavailable since late
Wednesday.

"The timing of this creates considerable challenges for staff as we prepare
for the start of Term 3,” NSW Education Secretary Georgina Harrisson said
in a statement provided to The Educator.

“Thankfully, our teams have been able to isolate the issues and we are
working to reactivate services as soon as possible.”

Harrison said the Department of Education and Cyber Security NSW teams are
working to ensure normal access is restored in time for the start of Term 3.

“I am confident we will have the issue resolved soon and want to reassure
teachers and parents that there will be no impact on students learning from
home next week,” she said.

"Whilst we are confident all systems will be back online before Day 1, Term
3, we are making information to support home learning available on our
public website so that preparations for the start of term can continue."

NSW Education Minister, Sarah Mitchell, acknowledged that many teachers
would be angry about the disruption but that everything is being done to
resolve the issue.

‘School staff in a state of paralysis’

NSW Teachers Federation president Angelo Gavrielatos said the attack is
having “an incredible impact” on teachers and principals.

"It means that they cannot access any information, not even the guidelines
for operation next week, they can't access their emails, can't access their
calendars, can't access teaching materials, can't access Zoom,” Gavrielatos
said, adding the attack had left school staff in "a state of paralysis".

The Department said the matter has been referred to the NSW Police and
federal agencies.
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