(OSCEOLA, IA - JANUARY 23, 2020) On Tuesday, January 21, 2020 the computer network for Clarke Community Schools was attacked by a party or parties outside the school district. Discovery of the attack was made around 8:00 AM Tuesday and by 9:00 AM the same day the incident was contained and the malicious activities stopped. After extensive monitoring and network evaluations, no further malicious activities are expected.
The district has engaged a forensic IT company to evaluate the extent of the damage and if any data was accessed or lost resulting from the incident. Local, State and Federal agencies have been notified of the issue and all are working with the Clarke administrative team and network managers for a speedy resolution.
While the incident is contained, the district wants to inform all parties that some network systems were impacted. Email for the school district is currently disabled. At this time no email can be sent or received from district addresses. We expect the email service to be down or minimally functional for at least the next week.
Digital assets outside of the Clarke district network were not impacted. The schools’ security systems and HVAC are all operational. The school’s Web site and notification systems (text, social media, etc.) through the Clarke App are functional and will be used as a system for notifications on this issue as they come to light.
Conversely, as a precaution, digital classroom functions within the internal district network have been disabled while additional investigations take place. These functions include the Infinite Campus protocol and data services. Delays in grading and updates for classroom activities should be expected.
All work, class schedules and activities are to go on as planned.
As the investigation proceeds and as administrators know more, updates will be provided.
If you have questions or would like to request additional information, please avoid email and contact the Clarke Community School District Superintendent, Steve Seid at 802 N Jackson St, Osceola, IA 50213, phone: (641) 342-4969. All calls will be returned.
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