By Sharif Hodges
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
Superintendent Darryl Williams reported Tuesday night that there is no evidence at this time of any data theft or exfiltration from Baltimore County Public Schools after a ransomware attack two days before Thanksgiving.
The Thanksgiving week ransomware attack shut down online learning for the county’s public schools. In similar attacks, hackers encrypt the victim’s files and demand payment to unlock them. Sensitive personal data typically is stolen and sometimes posted on the dark web.
“Our school system has been managing the impact of COVID-19, flu season, and now this attack of our network information,” Williams said. “BCPS issued chrome books, which are used by students in grades pre-kindergarten to 6th, were not impacted by the attack.”
Staff and students with Windows and HP devices issued by the school system were informed to go to the tech support webpage and follow the instructions to check their device for ransomware, Williams explained.
Earlier, County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr., stressed that “out of an abundance of caution,” the county will cover the cost of credit monitoring for all county schools’ students and staff.
Williams said that the school system will now concentrate on the remaining half of the school year.
“We remain relentlessly focused on our core mission of teaching and learning,” Williams said.