Louisiana Governor Declares State of Emergency After Ransomware Hits School Systems

[clapclapclap 9000]

https://www.forbes.com/sites/leemathews/2019/07/26/louisiana-governor-declares-state-of-emergency-after-ransomware-hits-school-systems/

Ransomware continues to menace public and private computer networks around the globe. This week an incident in Louisiana prompted a dramatic response from Governor John Bel Edwards.

On Wednesday, Gov. Edwards declared a state of emergency after "severe, intentional security breaches" hit school computer systems in the Parishes of Oachita (City of Monroe School District), Morehouse and Sabine. Phone systems were reportedly also disrupted.

Officials believed that it was critical to respond to the ransomware attacks in a coordinated manner. The declaration will help, as it calls for assistance from just about every public body in the state. Cybersecurity experts from the state Office of Technology Services, the Louisiana State Police, the Louisiana National Guard,  and GOHSEP (Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness) and numerous other agencies and offices are already pitching in. The FBI has also been called in to aid in the investigation.

The task at hand isn't merely to remove the malware from infected systems in these school districts -- though that in itself may prove to be a lengthy and complicated process. A press release from the Governor's office says the aim is to "assist local governments in responding to and preventing future data loss."

Cyberattacks on schools have been steadily increasing. Several years ago those attacks were mostly limited to colleges and universities, but threat actors gradually expanded to target K-12 schools, too. In 2017 the Department of Education issued an official warning regarding ransomware attacks. (snip)

[crash_davis 23465]

the government doesn't give a shit about protecting voting machines and the very foundation of democracy, why should they give a fuck about protecting school IT systems?

[Brisketexan 106675]

;Follow up story:  Taking down all school computer and phone systems just improved Louisiana student test scores by 20%.

[Neonmoon 38130]

I’m not believing any story that states Louisiana schools have computers 

[You don't know me 1163]

I'm picturing Farmer Fran from The Waterboy as the foremost authority on Cyber Security in the State of Louisiana.

[Brisketexan 106675]

54 minutes ago, Neonmoon said:

I’m not believing any story that states Louisiana schools have computers 

[Fuck Tim Beck 3892]

This is a non story. Everybody knows Louisiana schools only go thru the 6th grade. 

[Larry T. Spider 1747]

Where do I get my $125?

[pops 7123]

Headed to Louisiana in October so this really hits close to home

[clapclapclap 9000]

Pack your bug out bag.