Tag Archive for: cripples

Cyberattack cripples NYC DOE’s teacher disciplinary system


A ransomware attack has crippled the city’s teacher discipline system, The Post has learned.

A contractor that provides hearing transcripts for the city Department of Education, the Ubiqus Group, said it “was hit by a  ransomware-type cybersecurity incident” on Dec. 4.

 “As a precautionary measure, we have shut down all our IT systems across all our operating sites,” the company announced on its website. 

In a ransomware attack, hackers seize a user’s data, folders or device until a “ransom” fee is paid. A DOE spokeswoman would not say whether a ransom had been demanded.

Pending a probe, the cyberattack shut down NYC termination hearings for tenured  educators accused of incompetence or misconduct.

 “This is serious. Transcripts are the lifeblood of these hearings,” said Betsy Combier, a paralegal who defends teachers and a blogger who first reported the malware attack. “You can’t do anything without the transcripts, you can’t do a closing. You can’t decide a case.”

Combier said she called the state Education Department and was told that a “forensic cyberteam” is investigating.

The city DOE said Ubiqus is contracted by the state. A spokeswoman could not immediately say how many hearings have been held up.

Source…

Computer Virus Cripples UK Hospital System – Krebs on Security

Computer Virus Cripples UK Hospital System
Krebs on Security
Citing a computer virus outbreak, a hospital system in the United Kingdom has canceled all planned operations and diverted major trauma cases to neighboring facilities. The incident came as U.K. leaders detailed a national cyber security strategy that …

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NBC News: Hacker attack cripples al-Qaida web communications (Pete Williams/msnbc.com)

Pete Williams / msnbc.com:
NBC News: Hacker attack cripples al-Qaida web communications  —  Digital assault is similar to one last year linked to UK government  —  Below:  —  WASHINGTON — Computer hackers shut down al-Qaida’s ability to communicate its messages to the world through the Internet …

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