durham public schools

Canvas Locked Down While DPS Evaluates Breach

Families, students, and staff are urged not to access the app through school district or personal devices until further notice.

Wes Platt

Wes Platt

— 3 min read
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Canvas Locked Down While DPS Evaluates Breach
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Durham Public Schools has restricted access to the Canvas online learning platform to protect systems and sensitive personal information while officials continue evaluating the scope of the recent data breach.

"Schools and teachers are actively implementing alternative plans to support continuity of instruction during this temporary disruption," DPS leaders said in a statement to families on Friday. "Students will not be penalized for being unable to access Canvas while the platform remains unavailable."

The district is working with the N.C. Department of Public Instruction and Instructure, the company that developed Canvas, with the aim of safely and securely restoring access to the system.

DPS Responds to Canvas Cybersecurity Breach
Families received communications from Durham Public Schools officials on Thursday afternoon.
Southpoint AccessWes Platt

DPS also discouraged staff and students from trying to access Canvas through alternate links or bookmarks.

In a separate notice to school district staff, officials said: "Limiting access helps reduce the risk of compromised sessions, credential misuse, phishing attempts, or other unauthorized activity while the district continues its assessment and monitoring efforts."

Schools in Durham were among about 9,000 across the country - including colleges like Duke University - affected by a data breach conducted by a cybercriminal group known as the ShinyHunters. The gang is demanding ransom to prevent them from publishing stolen data on the internet.

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