Post by : Meena Ariff

An investigation into a significant cyberattack last year at a Winnipeg school division has determined that nearly 1 million files containing sensitive personal data have been compromised.

The review concluded on November 26, with notifications sent to those affected on Wednesday.

Data revealed included backups from the student information system, staff payroll files, records from 12 schools, and various administrative documents. The breach took place in December when a hacker group sought to sell this information for over $1 million in bitcoin. After failing to find a buyer, the data was subsequently leaked on the dark web.

The notice indicated that the personal information of students enrolled in the division’s 36 schools between 1999 and 2024 may have been compromised, including contact information, health details, as well as passport, health card, and social insurance numbers.

Additionally, staff and teachers from 2001 to 2024 may also be affected, with details such as SINs, bank account numbers, and disciplinary records exposed. Moreover, individuals who provided scanned passports, driver’s licence numbers, or issued cheques to the division between 2005 and 2024 might also have been impacted.

The division is collaborating with a security firm to bolster security measures and establish constant monitoring. Victims identified during the investigation have been informed, and no further updates are anticipated.

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