As of January 24th very little has come out about the hack on the nationwide cloud-based software solution provider, PowerSchool, which provides tools to school districts in the form of staff management, attendance taking, enrollment, grade information and more.
According to their website, this attack occurred on December 28th, 2024. They were alerted to the breach when the exportation of data began and there was no other indication prior to that such as systems being down. The company has offered to provide credit monitoring services for the students and staff whose data was leaked in the breach.
This data includes, grade and school information, addresses and phone numbers, email addresses, social security numbers and more. 6,505 school districts data were leaked in the attack, and it’s estimated 62 million students could be affected. This not only affects students in the US but Canada as well.
According to Bleeping Computer, PowerSchool has also paid a ransom to the attackers in a yet to be known sum to stave off the release of data. This Isn’t usually a worthwhile tactic, it’s estimated 92% of businesses that pay the ransom don’t get their data back in the end (as was the case for Apple when Apple Watch and MacBook Pro blueprints were stolen in 2021).
There are some concrete reasons not to pay the ransom in the event your data is stolen by bad actors:
- No Guarantee of Data Recovery: Paying the ransom does not ensure that attackers will decrypt your data or return it. Many victims have paid and never received their files back.
- Encourages Future Attacks: Paying a ransom signals to attackers that their tactic works, potentially making your business and others a target for future attacks.
- Funds Criminal Activity: The ransom you pay could fund other illegal activities, such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, or furth er cybercrimes
- Reputational Damage: If it becomes public knowledge that your business paid a ransom, it could harm your reputation, as customers and partners may view it as a sign of vulnerability.
- Potential for Higher Demands: After paying, attackers might demand additional payments, holding you hostage repeatedly.
If your business has been, or is currently the victim of a ransomware attack, Valley Techlogic can help. We have helped businesses remediate ongoing cyberthreats and have been able to introduce systems and cybersecurity measures that can help prevent future attacks. Even if you business has never suffered a cyber attack, why continue to risk it with attackers continuously evolving their strategies year over year?
Investing in technology protection today ensures your business will continue to thrive tomorrow, 60% of small businesses close after a significant cyber attack. Don’t be a statistic, protect your business today.
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This article was powered by Valley Techlogic, leading provider of trouble free IT services for businesses in California including Merced, Fresno, Stockton & More. You can find more information at https://www.valleytechlogic.com/ or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/valleytechlogic/ . Follow us on X at https://x.com/valleytechlogic and LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/valley-techlogic-inc/.
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