Science & Tech · Cybersecurity · 1 hr ago
Cyberattack steals data from schools in Switzerland’s Vaud canton
A cyberattack targeted a school IT support platform in Vaud, a canton in Switzerland.
The platform serves the canton’s upper-secondary schools and vocational schools.
Data linked to about 3,500 teachers and 38,000 students was stolen, including names, school email addresses and the contents of support requests.
Passwords were not stored on the platform, and no grades or student files were taken.
The unauthorised access was discovered on Monday, and the platform was disconnected from the internet and secured.
The canton has warned users to watch for phishing, avoid sharing passwords and report suspicious messages.
Federal cybersecurity and data protection authorities have been informed, and Vaud plans to file a criminal complaint.
A cyberattack on the IT support platform used by upper-secondary and vocational schools in Switzerland’s Vaud canton stole data linked to about 3,500 teachers and 38,000 students.
The stolen information included names, school email addresses and the contents of support requests.
The canton said passwords were not stored on the platform and no grades or student files were stolen.
The unauthorised access was discovered on Monday, and the platform was immediately disconnected from the internet and secured.
The canton urged students and teachers to watch for phishing attempts and said it would file a criminal complaint.
- Who
- The attack targeted the IT support platform for Vaud canton’s upper-secondary and vocational schools.
- What
- Data linked to about 3,500 teachers and 38,000 students was stolen.
- When
- The unauthorised access was discovered on Monday; the date was not stated.
- Where
- Vaud canton, Switzerland.
- Why
- Not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The canton discovered the unauthorised access.
The platform was disconnected from the internet and secured, and users were informed.
The canton issued a statement about the attack and the stolen data.
- Affected teachers
- About 3,500
- Affected students
- 38,000
- Stolen information
- Names, school email addresses and support request contents
- Passwords
- Not stored on the attacked platform
- School records
- No grades or student files were stolen
What people are saying
Passwords must not be shared under any circumstances.