Rochester Public Schools Hit by Ransomware Attack

Rochester Public Schools, located in Rochester, Minnesota, was hit by a ransomware attack in early April that resulted in the theft of some employee and student information. The district was forced to shut down its network and refused to pay the ransom demanded by the hackers. Officials alerted the FBI, and an investigation into the cyber attack is ongoing.

Superintendent Kent Pekel declined to comment further on the matter, but he did state that the district has reset passwords on thousands of computers and tablets and is slowly bringing parts of its network back online. The district has taken steps to protect student data, and so far, it doesn’t appear that any of the data that was hacked has been used for identity theft or financial fraud.

However, the ransomware attack has had a significant impact on the district’s operations. Teachers have had to resort to low-tech methods in the classroom over the past month, and the district has determined that it cannot administer Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment tests to students this year.

The district explored the possibility of holding the standardized tests later than the early May period designated by the state this year, but officials at the Minnesota Department of Education were unable to extend the testing window due to state technology and regulation. Additionally, the district was unable to secure enough paper copies of the MCA test in time.