N.S. offers online protection for Cape Breton students, staff hit by school cyberattack

Nova Scotia’s Department of Education is taking steps to protect students, parents, and staff from online threats following a cybersecurity breach earlier this year. Despite these efforts, experts warn that those affected must remain vigilant to safeguard their personal information.

The breach, which targeted the Cape Breton-Victoria region, was part of a larger data breach affecting the U.S.-based PowerSchool service. Over 42,000 students, parents, and staff members had their names, addresses, dates of birth, medical information, and other school records compromised.

Education Minister Brendan Maguire announced that online identity protection is being offered to those too young to have a credit score, while credit monitoring will be provided for two years to others. The cost of these services will be covered by PowerSchool, the company responsible for the breach.

Maguire expressed uncertainty as to why only one regional center in the province was affected, stating, “I can’t get into the mind of a criminal.” Unlike some school boards in other areas, Cape Breton did not receive ransom demands in connection with the breach.

PowerSchool has assured the department that its service is now secure. Despite this, Maguire emphasized the importance of ongoing monitoring and collaboration to ensure the safety of all involved. Schools throughout the province continue to rely on PowerSchool for tracking enrolment, attendance, and grades.

Francis Syms, an expert from Toronto’s Humber Polytechnic, advised affected individuals to accept the protection offered by the government while remaining cautious. He warned that personal information could be used for fraudulent purposes, such as phishing scams targeting former students.

Syms also suggested that governments consider local data storage solutions to mitigate risks associated with storing data with companies outside Canadian borders. He highlighted the differences in data protection laws between Canada and the U.S., emphasizing the need for stronger regulations to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information.

In conclusion, the cybersecurity breach in Nova Scotia serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining vigilance in an increasingly digital world. By implementing proactive measures and advocating for stronger data protection laws, individuals and organizations can enhance their cybersecurity defenses and safeguard against future threats.