After a ransomware attack, winter break at Richmond Community Schools in Michigan was extended through the end of the week as district personal work to remedy the issue and bring all services back online, officials announced Thursday.
The malware hit district servers over the holiday break, according to the announcement, and crippled some of the district’s critical systems, including heating, telephones, copiers and classroom technology. However, student and staff information does not appear to be compromised, officials say.
District personnel and network specialists have been working to restore functionality to the district’s systems, but the issue was unable to be resolved before students were expected to return from winter break on Thursday, according to the statement. As a result, school will be closed through Friday.
The district could not be reached by phone or email for additional information on Thursday.
This latest attack in Michigan is just one in a string of recent ransomware attacks against public institutions and continues the K-12 ransomware trend into 2020. According to StateScoop’s ransomware data, 23 school districts have been hit by ransomware since August.