Colorado’s state government has issued a grave warning as hackers breach the security walls, potentially compromising personal information dating back to 2004. A ransomware incident has struck the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE), resulting in the unauthorized access and duplication of sensitive data between June 11 and June 19.
This compromised information spans across student and teacher details, including names, addresses, Social Security numbers, student identification numbers, and various education records. The implications extend to individuals linked to public higher education institutions in Colorado between 2007 and 2020, or those associated with public high schools from 2004 to 2020.
The repercussions of this breach echo further: individuals holding a Colorado K-12 public school educator license between 2010 and 2014, participants in the Dependent Tuition Assistance Program from 2009 to 2013, attendees of Colorado Department of Education’s Adult Education Initiatives programs from 2013 to 2017, and recipients of a GED from 2007 to 2011 could all be affected.
Though the precise number of victims remains undisclosed, the impact likely spans a wide spectrum. The CDHE is taking swift action, notifying those at risk and providing two years of identity theft protection services to the affected individuals.
This incident underscores a growing concern: cyberattacks are escalating. In recent weeks, Colorado has witnessed a string of ransomware assaults, targeting both education and healthcare sectors. It’s a reminder of the ever-present threats lurking in the digital realm.
As our world becomes increasingly interconnected, safeguarding personal information is paramount. Stay vigilant, update your security measures, and remember that cybersecurity is a shared responsibility. Let’s protect our digital lives together. 🌐🔐
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