Nova Scotia Government Reports Cybersecurity Breach in PowerSchool System

The Nova Scotia government has confirmed that a cybersecurity breach has occurred in the PowerSchool student information system, affecting some staff and current and former students within the Cape Breton-Victoria Regional Centre for Education. The breach was discovered after officials were alerted on Wednesday afternoon that personal information had been stolen as part of a global cybersecurity breach targeting PowerSchool.

Schools across the province rely on PowerSchool to manage student enrolment, attendance, and grades. The province has stated that while the full extent of the breach is still unknown, there is no indication that any other education centers have been affected.

The company responsible for PowerSchool has assured the government that the breach is contained, but Nova Scotia is conducting its own investigation to verify this claim. The Cape Breton-Victoria Centre for Education, which employs over 3,000 staff members and serves more than 13,250 students, has been the primary target of the breach.

Personal information stored in the PowerSchool system includes sensitive data such as birth dates, addresses, allergies, MSI cards, emergency contact details, and information on student adaptations. The breach has raised concerns about the security of student information and the potential risks associated with cyberattacks on educational institutions.

As the investigation continues, the Nova Scotia government is working to ensure the security of the PowerSchool system and protect the privacy of staff and students. Updates on the situation will be provided as more information becomes available.