Watertown City School District hit with ransomware attack

• The attack jeopardized the district’s all computers and disabled access to files.
• The district has taken the necessary steps to secure its critical computer networks.

What happened?

Watertown City School District suffered a ransomware attack, which crippled the district’s computer network and systems. The attack jeopardized all computers and disabled access to files.

The big picture

School Superintendent Patricia LaBarr became aware of the attack after she couldn't access her email. Later, security experts from the Mohawk Regional Information Center (MORIC) launched an internal investigation and confirmed the ransomware attack.

The attack jeopardized all computers and disabled access to files. Staff were asked not to log in any computer. LaBarr said that the attackers behind this incident did not demand a ransom amount from the district.

What actions were taken?

• Upon discovering the incident, the school district notified the U.S. Department of Education and the Department of Homeland Security .
• The district is working closely with local, state, and Federal agencies and has taken the corrective measures to secure its critical computer networks.

“At this time, the District has taken remedial and corrective measures to secure the District’s critical computer networks and infrastructure. We are currently and will continue to work closely with local, state, and Federal agencies in the coming days as we work through this matter as quickly and thoroughly as possible,” LaBarr said in a Facebook post.