Hackers Demand $40 Million Ransom From Broward County Public Schools

Hackers are demanding Broward County Public Schools pay a hefty ransom or they will release the personal information of students and teachers in the district, according to reporting by the Sun-Sentinel.

It was reported that hackers demanded the district pay them a $40 million ransom in return for the information on March 12.

However, district officials said no information was breached but there was a "service disruption" which they are confident they caught in time.

"Upon learning of this incident, BCPS secured its network and commenced an internal investigation. A cyber security firm was engaged to assist. BCPS is approaching this incident with the utmost seriousness and is focused on securely restoring the affected systems as soon as possible, as well as enhancing the security of its systems," said the district in a statement released on Wednesday, March 31.

Miami-Dade County Public Schools was also hit by cyberattacks at the beginning of the school year, according to WSVN.

A former student at South Miami Senior High School was responsible for eight separate cyberattacks on the district.

It seems as though cyberattacks against schools are becoming more common, but Leeor Geva CEO of LMG Solutions, a South Florida consulting firm that helps businesses with internet safety, says everyone is susceptible to cyberattacks these days.

"I think that hackers these days are not necessarily targeting school districts,” said Geva. “They’re probably targeting anyone that they can get access to.”

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