Australian State education department deactivates a number of internal systems.
Just days before students are to return to online school learning, the New South Wales (NSW) Department of Education has been a victim of a cyber-security attack.
The State is currently under COVID-19 lockdown due to resurgence in transmissions. Students originally were meant to return back to school on the 13th of July. However, another week of lockdown has been ordered for the State, with students returning to school online.
In response, a number of internal systems have been deactivated by the Department as a precaution and have been unavailable since late Wednesday.
Department of Education and Cyber Security NSW teams are working to ensure normal access is restored in time for the start of Term 3.
NSW Education Secretary Georgina Harrisson said the Department’s priority is the safety and security of its student and staff data, and it has therefore made the precautionary decision to take some systems offline while it investigates further.
“The timing of this creates considerable challenges for staff as we prepare for the start of Term 3,” Harrisson said. “Thankfully, our teams have been able to isolate the issues and we are working to reactivate services as soon as possible.”
“I am confident we will have the issue resolved soon and want to reassure teachers and parents that there will be no impact on students learning from home next week,” Harrisson said.
The Department is also working closely with Cyber Security NSW to resolve the issue, and the matter has been referred to the NSW Police and federal agencies.
As the matter is under investigation, it is inappropriate to make any further comment.
“We are confident all systems will be back online before Day 1, Term 3, we are making information to support home learning available on our public website so that preparations for the start of term can continue.”
