MSU monitors cybersecurity threat after hackers claim responsibility - The State News
Michigan State University is actively monitoring a potential cybersecurity threat after a ransomware group claimed responsibility for an incident affecting 1.3 million students.
Michigan State University is actively monitoring and investigating a potential cybersecurity threat, according to a campuswide email sent by MSU IT. The university is working with cybersecurity partners, law enforcement, and the State of Michigan to protect its information and maintain campus services.
Investigation status
The investigation is ongoing, and MSU has not determined that any personal information was compromised, according to MSU Spokesperson Emily Guerrant. MSU sent an email on Oct. 1 to faculty, staff and students prompting them to reset their NetID passwords following suspicious cybersecurity activity.
The investigation is ongoing, and MSU has not determined that any personal information was compromised.
Ransomware claim
The ransomware gang BYOD claims to be responsible for the cybersecurity incident, adding MSU to its site on Monday and alleging it stole data from 1.3 million current and former MSU students. BYOD also claims responsibility for a cyberattack that shut down a University of New Mexico hospital last week.
MSU was not previously aware of BYOD's involvement in last month's incident, Guerrant said. She did not comment on whether the group actually stole data from 1.3 million students. There's no confirmation that the current threat is linked to last month's incident.
Campus response
The university issued the alert for general awareness, asking people to be "extra vigilant" and consider best practices for cybersecurity threats. MSU continues to work with authorities to address the situation and protect its community.
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