Louisiana School Systems Experience Cyberattacks Governor Declares Statewide Emergency

Louisiana School Systems Experience Cyberattacks Governor Declares Statewide Emergency

The governor of Louisiana has declared a statewide emergency as several school systems have been attacked by malware. Officials are currently trying to see if any other agencies are affected, but the threat is ongoing.

  • By Kaitlyn DeHaven
  • July 26, 2019

Several school systems in Louisiana have been attacked by malware, and the governor has issued a statewide emergency declaration. Officials are currently trying to discover if any other agencies are affected.

The declaration is the state’s first cybersecurity emergency activation, and allows multiple resources to be devoted to the probe. It enables local governments to use cybersecurity experts from the Louisiana National Guard, Louisiana State Police, the Office of Technology Services and others to resolve and prevent cyberattacks.

“The state was made aware of a malware attack on a few north Louisiana school systems and we have been coordinating a response ever since,” Gov. John Bel Edwards said.

The school systems in Sabine, Morehouse, and Ouachita parishes have been compromise, according to the governor’s statement.

Edwards established a commission of partners from the private sector, public sector, academia, and law enforcement to respond to threats such as these in 2017.

"This is exactly why we established the Cyber Security Commission, focused on preparing for, responding to and preventing cybersecurity attacks, and we are well-positioned to assist local governments as they battle this current threat," Edwards said.

According to the governor’s office, the threat is ongoing. Louisiana State Police, the Louisiana National Guard, the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP), the state Office of Technology Services, Louisiana State University and other agencies are determining how to move forward, a news release said.

About the Author

Kaitlyn DeHaven is the Associate Content Editor for the Infrastructure Solutions Group at 1105 Media.

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