[BreachExchange] Cyber-Attack on Rialto School District

[Destry Winant]

https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/cyberattack-on-rialto-school/

A cyber-attack has shut down virtual classes in a Los Angeles school
district two weeks after the FBI issued a cybersecurity warning to
schools offering online learning.

In a grim foreshadowing of what was to come, FBI supervisory special
agent Corey Harris said on August 11: “We want all school districts to
be prepared and understand that there’s a possibility that they could
be attacked."

"With so many kids that will be conducting school virtually, that
increases the risk. That opens the door for an attacker to actually
compromise either the school district’s network or the kids’
computers."

Online classes were suspended at the Rialto Unified School District on
Monday following a malware attack.

A statement posted on the district’s website on Sunday said that
online learning hosted by its Bridge Academy had been halted
indefinitely while an investigation was underway to determine the
“nature and scope” of the cyber-attack.

The statement read: “Rialto Unified School District has been affected
by malware, which is software that is specifically designed to
disrupt, damage or gain unauthorized access to the computer system.
RUSD instruction will be suspended until further notice, while we
investigate the nature and scope of the malware.

“We understand that this news is difficult in these already
challenging times and we appreciate your patience while we work to
address this issue."

District spokesperson Syeda Jafri said that information technology
department staff were working “day and night” to give students back
access to an education. She urged students who have assigned devices
linked to the district’s server not to use them until the current
situation has been resolved.

Computer equipment issued to students by the school will be collected
and checked to make sure it is secure.

The Rialto Unified School District includes three high schools, one
alternative/adult education school, five middle schools, and 19
elementary schools. More than 25,000 students residing in Rialto or
neighboring cities, including Bloomington, Colton, Fontana, Lytle
Creek, and San Bernardino, attend school in the district.

Other school districts, including the Lake Elsinore Unified School
District, also had disruptions on Monday after some teachers and
students were locked out of Zoom.