Cyber attack blocks Mississauga and Brampton students from accessing school board website, but virtual learning continues

 

A cyber attack has shutdown the Peel District School Board (PDSB) website and compromised files.

In what is being termed as a "cyber security incident," hackers have made the PDSB website inaccessible for several days. The hackers were also able to block some school systems and files.

The PDSB says the attack has not affected online leaning for students and believes that no personal or sensitive information has been compromised.

Students and teachers can still login to learning sites and share information via e-mail.

"Should the investigation determine that personal or sensitive information was at risk, PDSB will notify affected individuals as soon as possible," the board said in a released statement.

The Board said the incident was discovered on Tuesday and led to the encryption of the systems and files.

"PDSB Learning Technology Support Services team took immediate steps to isolate the incident and engaged a leading cyber-security firm, as well as Peel Police Cyber Security Services to assist with remediation and to conduct a comprehensive forensic investigation," the PDSB said.

The Board said it is confident the affected systems will be restored soon.