Elmbrook Schools Suffers Ransomware Attack by Vice Society

Victim Profile

Elmbrook Schools, a public school district located in Brookfield, Wisconsin, serves the communities of Brookfield, Elm Grove, and New Berlin. With a diverse student population, the district offers a wide range of educational programs, including advanced placement courses and vocational training. The district's official website provides comprehensive information about its schools, programs, and events.

Size and Vulnerabilities

The School District of Elmbrook, with approximately 4,000 students and 500 employees, is recognized for its academic achievements, including receiving the Herb Kohl Award for excellence in education. However, the district faces cybersecurity vulnerabilities such as outdated software, weak passwords, and a lack of comprehensive cybersecurity training for employees. These weaknesses have previously made the district a target for cybercriminals, leading to stolen data being posted on the dark web.

Response and Mitigation

In response to the ransomware attack by Vice Society, the School District of Elmbrook has implemented several measures to secure its network and safeguard the personal information of its employees and students. These measures include offering a one-year complimentary membership to a credit monitoring service, conducting a thorough forensics investigation, and engaging a security service firm for 24/7 managed network services. Additionally, the district has enhanced its cybersecurity awareness through an employee training program.

The incident underscores the critical importance of cybersecurity within the education sector. Despite the district's proactive measures, it was still vulnerable to a sophisticated ransomware attack. This serves as a potent reminder for educational institutions to prioritize cybersecurity and adopt comprehensive security measures to protect sensitive data and prevent future cyber incidents.

Sources

• Elmbrook Schools. (n.d.). Home - Elmbrook Schools. Retrieved April 10, 2024, from https://www.elmbrookschools.org
• Waukesha Co. News. (2022, September 9). School District of Elmbrook victim of cyber attacks. Retrieved April 10, 2024, from https://www.gmtoday.com/the_freeman/news/school-district-of-elmbrook-victim-of-cyber-attacks/article_e77ff43e-3069-11ed-8870-0b7bcfb5ac69.html
• WISN. (2022, September 10). Elmbrook School District victim of 'dark web' cyberattack. Retrieved April 10, 2024, from https://www.wisn.com/article/elmbrook-school-district-victim-of-dark-web-cyberattack/41135746
• Journal Sentinel. (2023, April 10). Names, Social Security numbers exposed in data breach at Elmbrook. Retrieved April 10, 2024, from https://www.jsonline.com/story/communities/west/2023/04/10/names-social-security-numbers-exposed-in-data-breach-at-elmbrook/70077855007/
• TMJ4. (2022, September 8). Elmbrook School District hit by cyberattack; data posted on dark web. Retrieved April 10, 2024, from https://www.tmj4.com/news/local-news/elmbrook-school-district-hit-by-cyberattack-student-staff-data-posted-on-dark-web