Cybercriminals have targeted education technology giant PowerSchool, compromising millions of student records. The breach, announced by PowerSchool on January 7, has left many wondering how this could happen to such a large and reputable company.
PowerSchool serves over 60 million K-12 students and teachers worldwide, managing grades, attendance, and personal information for its customers. Hackers exploited a feature in the PowerSource support portal, allowing them to export sensitive data, including contact details, Social Security numbers, medical records, and grades.
The breach is alarming, with PowerSchool confirming that only a subset of customers will need to notify those affected. The company has hired a third-party cybersecurity firm to investigate the breach and determine the extent of the damage.
To protect yourself from this breach and similar ones in the future, here are five steps you can take:
1. Monitor your accounts regularly for unauthorized transactions or changes.
2. Freeze your credit if your Social Security number was compromised.
3. Use identity theft protection services, which may include insurance to cover losses and legal fees.
4. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for online accounts.
5. Be aware of phishing links and use strong antivirus software.
Kurt’s key takeaway: Companies like PowerSchool must be held accountable for failing to adequately protect sensitive data. The delay in notifying customers has put students, parents, and teachers at risk of cyberattacks and identity theft. Stricter regulations may be necessary to prevent similar breaches in the future.
Source: https://www.foxnews.com/tech/powerschool-data-breach-exposes-millions-student-teacher-records