An alarming data breach has been reported at East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT), a technical school in Arizona. The incident, which occurred earlier this year, potentially compromised the personal information of over 209,000 individuals, encompassing current and former students, their parents or guardians, and faculty members.
The leaked data included a wide range of sensitive information, encompassing personal, health, and financial details. According to reports, nearly 50 types of personal information were stolen, including student ID numbers, dates of birth, race/ethnicity, grades, home phone numbers, email addresses, driver’s license information, health insurance details, medical records, allergy information, medical record numbers, passport numbers, prescription information, and more.
While the specific nature of the attack remains undisclosed, the ransomware group LockBit has claimed responsibility. The group initially threatened to publish the stolen data online, but thankfully, EVIT has stated that they have not discovered any evidence of sensitive information being published.
The incident highlights the ever-growing threat of ransomware attacks, which have become increasingly sophisticated and damaging in recent years. It is a stark reminder of the importance of robust cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive information and mitigate the risks associated with these attacks.
Professor Ahmed Banafa, a Tech Expert and Engineering Professor at San Jose State University specializing in IoT, blockchain, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence, provided his insights on the situation. While his specific comments are not included in this rewrite, his expertise underscores the critical need for ongoing vigilance and proactive measures to prevent such breaches from occurring in the future.
