The Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) has reported a cyberattack in which unauthorized parties gained access to a website that handles student financial aid. The breach was detected on Oct. 19. The potentially exposed information includes personal data, among them Social Security numbers.
According to an FLDOE statement, department staff learned last Monday of unauthorized access to the online system used to administer financial aid. After the incident was detected, security procedures were activated to stop further unauthorized activity and secure the IT infrastructure. On Thursday, Oct. 29, the website floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org remained unavailable, and users saw a message about maintenance work.
Department officials confirmed that the breach may have involved personally identifiable data, including Social Security numbers. However, they did not say how many people may have been affected or give details on the scope of the data the perpetrators accessed. FLDOE notified the office of Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier of the incident. The Florida Digital Service and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement are also taking part in the investigation into the circumstances of the attack.
The department said the incident will not affect the operation of student financial aid programs. Disbursements and tuition payments are to proceed without delay. The security breach will also not change the rules for awarding scholarships, grants or student loans administered by FLDOE.
Ed. JŁ
Source: Słoneczne Radio
