A significant cybersecurity incident involving PowerSchool, a leading education technology provider, has impacted school districts across the US and internationally. The breach, which occurred through the company’s PowerSource portal, resulted in unauthorized access to sensitive data stored within the PowerSchool Student Information System.   

Among the compromised data is directory information for students, parents, and staff, including names, phone numbers, and addresses. A limited amount of medical information, such as allergy records, was also accessed.   
Most alarmingly, social security numbers for 10 individuals were compromised. This includes 8 former employees and 2 current or former students. Those individuals are being contacted directly by PowerSchool.

While the company claims to have contained the breach and is working with cybersecurity experts and law enforcement, the incident has raised serious concerns about data security in the education sector.   

South Carolina State Superintendent of Education, Ellen Weaver, expressed her concern, stating that the protection of student and educator data is “non-negotiable.” She emphasized that the state will take action to uncover the full extent of the breach and ensure that PowerSchool provides affected individuals with credit and identity monitoring services.

This breach serves as a stark reminder of the increasing threat of cyberattacks targeting sensitive information in the education sector. Parents and staff are encouraged to remain vigilant and monitor their accounts for any suspicious activity.

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Thomas Hyslip

Thomas Hyslip lives in Tega Cay with his wife and daughter. After 27 years in the U.S. Army and Federal Law Enforcement, he retired to pursue his passion for teaching. Tom is now an Assistant Professor of Instruction at the University of South Florida. In 2 short years he has won 10 awards from the South Carolina Press Association, including first place in column writing, education beat reporting and best podcast.

Thomas Hyslip lives in Tega Cay with his wife and daughter. After 27 years in the U.S. Army and Federal Law Enforcement, he retired to pursue his passion for teaching. Tom is now an Assistant Professor...