IT teams still trying to get Whitby HQ of Durham School Board back online after cyber attack

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Published November 27, 2022 at 11:41 pm

A hacker took dead aim at the Durham District School Board late last week and phones and emails at the board are still out of operation as tech support and outside IT teams work to restore service.

The board discovered the cyber incident Friday and “immediately took steps to secure our network” and retain expert assistance. “We have notified law enforcement and are working to investigate and understand the full impact of this incident.”

In-person schools will remain open Monday but school board phone and e-mail services are not working and schools may not have access to emergency contact information.

In a letter to parents and students, parents were asked to send temporary emergency contact information with their child to school.

  • Schools will be taking manual attendance and parents/guardians will not be contacted if their child is absent.
  • Schools will be taking measures to ensure the safe operation of schools on Monday.
  • All DDSB@Home classes and literacy tests are cancelled on Monday.
  • Most student chromebooks will not be working.
  • Child care services will be operating.
  • Community use of schools permits will continue.

“Our IT team has been working throughout the weekend and will continue until we are able to restore services,” the letter said, “We appreciate that this incident raises a significant privacy concern, and we will be providing updates and sharing more information when we have it. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work through this and we sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.”

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