US school districts face extortion threat after major cyberattack, Software firm confirms

Several US school districts are grappling with extortion threats following a significant cyberattack on PowerSchool, an education software provider. Hackers have reportedly accessed sensitive data, which is now being used to pressure schools into meeting ransom demands. This breach has raised alarms about the vulnerabilities in the digital infrastructure that many educational institutions rely on for daily operations. PowerSchool has confirmed the breach, stating that they are working closely with cybersecurity experts to contain the threat and assess the extent of the compromised data. The company emphasized its commitment to supporting affected school districts and is actively coordinating with law enforcement to track down the perpetrators. Meanwhile, schools are scrambling to implement contingency plans to protect students' and staff members' personal information. As the investigation unfolds, cybersecurity experts are urging educational institutions nationwide to bolster their defenses against potential attacks. This incident underscores the critical need for robust security measures in schools, which are increasingly becoming targets for cybercriminals. The situation remains fluid, with authorities advising schools to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity promptly.

— Authored by Next24 Live