Ireland’s South East Technological University (SETU) has recently experienced a cybersecurity incident at its Waterford campus, leading to the temporary suspension of classes and causing disruptions to IT services. The university has taken immediate action by involving its internal IT team and external cybersecurity specialists to address the cyberattack and mitigate its impact.
According to a statement released on SETU’s website, classes at the Waterford campus were postponed on Monday, November 4, to allow faculty members to make necessary adjustments in response to the outage. While classes are scheduled to resume on Tuesday, November 5, students and staff may still encounter limited access to certain services as the university works towards restoring normal operations.
Although specific details about the cyberattack have not been disclosed, SETU has assured the community that the incident was detected early. An email from the university’s Vice-President for Student Experience indicated that ongoing investigations have not revealed any evidence of data compromise. However, the full extent of the impact remains uncertain, with a report from national broadcaster RTÉ suggesting that a clearer picture may only emerge by the end of the following week.
The cyber incident has resulted in significant disruptions to IT services at SETU’s Waterford campus, impairing access to internet, email, file-sharing services, and other digital resources crucial for teaching and administrative functions. The Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) branch in Waterford has advised its members through an email that the campus could remain offline for the entire week. Faculty members have been urged to print necessary materials from home due to the limited access to on-campus systems.
SETU has emphasized its collaboration with cybersecurity experts and relevant authorities to manage the situation effectively. The university’s internal IT team is working closely with external specialists to address the cyberattack and minimize any potential consequences.
The incident at SETU reflects a broader trend of cyberattacks targeting educational institutions worldwide. Recent cases, such as the cyberattack on Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences and Germany’s Christian Democratic Union, underscore the increased vulnerability of organizations with substantial data assets to malicious cyber activities.
Research shows that cybercriminals are increasingly targeting universities due to the wealth of sensitive data they possess, making them attractive targets for ransomware attacks, phishing scams, and credential theft. The education sector experienced a significant rise in cyber incidents in 2023, with a notable increase in data breaches compared to the previous year, highlighting the urgent need for robust cybersecurity measures within educational institutions.
As SETU works towards restoring its IT systems and ensuring minimal disruption to academic activities, the university continues to investigate the cyber incident while remaining vigilant for any signs of further compromise. This incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing cybersecurity challenges faced by educational institutions globally and the importance of proactive measures to safeguard sensitive data and mitigate future cyber threats.