MindX Technology School, previously known as Techkids, has become the latest target of hacker group ThreatSec. The school, located in Vietnam, specializes in teaching programming skills to primary and secondary school students. While ThreatSec has claimed responsibility for the cyber attack on MindX Technology, the school has yet to confirm the incident.
According to ThreatSec, they hacked into the database of MindX Technology School and are now offering the stolen data for sale on the dark web. Falcon Feeds, a threat intelligence service, tweeted about the cyber attack, stating that ThreatSec claimed to have accessed the school’s database and obtained sensitive information. The hacktivist group also mentioned a bribery trial involving high-ranking officials and former ministers in Vietnam, which they believe is linked to their discovery of MindX Technology School.
ThreatSec claims to have acquired a large amount of data from the cyber attack, including full names, email addresses, phone numbers, bank account numbers, and addresses. They are offering to sell this data starting at $6,500. The group alleges that they came across the school’s information through an investor scandal.
This cyber attack on MindX Technology School highlights the growing focus on cybersecurity in the education sector. In recent years, hackers have increasingly targeted educational institutions, including schools and colleges, exploiting vulnerabilities to gain access to sensitive student data. The consequences of cyber attacks on schools can be significant, resulting in disruptions to learning and financial losses. A 2022 report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office revealed that cyber attacks on schools led to a loss of learning ranging from three days to three weeks and financial impacts ranging from $50,000 to $1 million.
In response to the rising threats to school cybersecurity, the Biden-Harris Administration has taken action to strengthen the nation’s school cyber defense. They have proposed a pilot program to allocate nearly $200 million for cybersecurity in K-12 schools and libraries. Additionally, a collaborative Government Coordinating Council will be established to facilitate communication between federal, state, and local education leaders. The U.S. Department of Education and CISA have also released guidance documents to improve cyber hygiene in educational institutions, and CISA will provide cybersecurity training for new K-12 entities.
The White House statement addressing school cybersecurity concerns also highlighted initiatives from Amazon Web Services and Cloudflare. Amazon Web Services will allocate $20 million for a K-12 cyber grant program, while Cloudflare will provide a free Zero-Trust cybersecurity solution through its Project Cybersafe Schools.
The rise of hacktivist groups like ThreatSec underscores the growing trend of hacktivism, where hackers target organizations associated with corruption and misconduct. Similar hacktivist groups have emerged in the past, collaborating to launch cyber attacks on organizations and websites. It is crucial for educational institutions to prioritize cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive student data and prevent disruptions to learning.