MANSFIELD — No “personal information” was accessed during a recent cyber attack on Mansfield City Schools, according to superintendent Stan Jefferson.
Jefferson sent a letter to staff and district families Tuesday morning addressing the incident.
“We want to assure you that we successfully contained the threat and at no time was any of the personal information of our students, families or staff compromised,” Jefferson wrote.
Fox 8 reported Monday that the district computers had been hacked and that parents weren’t notified.
According to Jefferson’s letter, the district immediately shut down its computer system upon learning about the attack.
“We have extensive systems and processes in place to detect attempts and breaches and we took swift and immediate action,” Jefferson wrote.
That action included isolating the infected computers, securing backup systems and working with the district’s insurance company, third-party forensics experts and the FBI.
Jefferson added that the district has “reinforced its network, added additional security and enhanced network protocols.”
Jefferson did not offer much detail about the nature of the cyber attack, but stated that “ransomware attacks are rampant and unfortunately common, impacting government, education and healthcare entities across the country. He added that public entities are “especially vulnerable” during times of crisis.Â
“Since (the hack) did no impact or compromise anyone’s personal information or safety and was successfully resolved, we did not want to unnecessarily add stress to our families or staff, especially during a pandemic,” Jefferson wrote.
Richland Source sent a list of questions regarding the hack, including when it happened, to school board members, Jefferson and the district’s technology department Tuesday morning.Â
District staff did not respond to inquiries regarding the hack, or whether it would be addressed at tonight’s school board meeting. Jefferon’s executive assistant, Cathy Troyer, stated in an email that Jefferon’s letter is “the district’s final statement regarding this matter.”
The full statement is included below:
