Irish university MTU cancels all classes for two days after an IT breach

Munster Technological University (MTU) in Ireland has canceled all full-time and part-time classes in its four campuses in Cork for two days (Tuesday and Wednesday) following an IT breach and telephone outage, which affected several learning tools, including one called Canvas used to manage student assignments.

According to reports, a ransomware attack may have caused an IT breach. MTU is working with gardaí and the National Cyber Security Center to establish if the IT breach is linked to a ransomware attack.

It is not clear how soon MTU expects to be able to get them up and running again, nor if classes will continue to be canceled from Thursday onwards. Staff and students were asked to monitor their emails for further information. According to sources, core systems such as email, finance, payroll, and HR are unaffected.

MTU stated that it is currently assessing appropriate solutions to return to teaching as normal and reopen the campuses. It also said in a statement that the university is following the protocols to ensure the security of our systems and the well-being of the staff and students is maintained.

MTU was officially founded last year as a merger between the Cork Institute of Technology and the Institute of Technology, Tralee, and has more than 18,000 students. It has six campuses — four in Cork closed (Bishopstown, National Maritime College of Ireland, Crawford College of Art & Design, and the Cork School of Music), and two in Tralee remain open. Meanwhile, other Irish universities are also on high alert to the potential cybersecurity threat.