Data of 70,000 students stolen during hack: WRDSB
Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) says they’ve confirmed the data of around 70,000 students was stolen during a cyberattack nearly three months ago.
The database accessed included information for students enrolled in the 2006/2007 through 2012/2013 academic years, the board said in a statement posted on their website. Given the years, most people affected are former students.
According to the board, data taken “may have included” names, birthdates, whether the student had an individualized education plan, and historical education information like former teachers and schools. It did not include social insurance numbers, addresses or financial information, the board said.
“We understand that students, former students, parents and caregivers are concerned about their personal information and that of their loved ones,” Eusis Dougan-McKenzie, WRDSB interim chief communications officer, said in the statement. “We also know the time this process has taken has added to the stress.”
In August, the board said some student information was accessed during the July 10 hack, which also saw staff data – including SIN numbers – stolen. Until now, it has not provided any details on what type of student information was compromised.
“Unfortunately, at that time we did not know precisely which students or what information was involved. We requested your patience and trust as we undertook the complex and time-consuming analysis of this data,” Dougan-McKenzie said. We have now completed a significant portion of that work, and can now share the results.”
The board said cyber security experts have determined the hack did not include its main student information system, rather data from 2006/2007 through 2012/2013 academic years. Not all students registered in that period of time were impacted, the board said.
The board said the risk of identity theft is “very low,” but it is offering free credit monitoring to anyone in the dataset.
Credit monitoring is a service that notifies people about unusual banking activities.
The board also said they have received "assurances" that any copies of the stolen data have been deleted.
The school board declined CTV Kitchener’s request for an interview.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.