[SoDu Alert] N.C. Attorney General Opens PowerSchool Investigation

Jeff Jackson, North Carolina’s attorney general, has launched an investigation into the PowerSchool data breach that has affected nearly 4 million users in this state – and more than 62 million across the United States.

“I’m a parent who uses PowerSchool, so I know that millions of North Carolina families are concerned about this data breach,” Jackson said in a news release. “I’m investigating PowerSchool to determine if they broke any laws in this process, and I’ll take additional legal action if necessary. We’ll continue to guard our state from data breaches and hold those who fail to properly protect information accountable.”

In December 2024, a hacker got into PowerSchool’s system, which potentially exposed Social Security numbers, names of minors, and medical and disciplinary information. Durham Public Schools indicated that it appeared more likely that some staff data may have been exposed in the breach.

According to Jackson, more than 2,258 businesses, hospitals, government agencies, and other organizations reported data breaches in 2024 – the most in North Carolina history, affecting a record 6.7 million people.

Some recommended steps for protecting devices and networks from data breaches include:

• When updating antivirus and security software, go beyond your computer and look for updates on other devices, including phones, televisions, even smart speakers.
• Don’t open emails, click links, or download attachments from unverified senders.
• Examine emails before clicking or downloading. Is the sender’s email address odd? Any weird spelling errors? Send it to your IT department or reach out to the sender directly to ask them.
• Use strong passwords and change them regularly. Use different passwords on different sites.
• If your computer contains confidential information, make sure it’s secure when you step away or leave for the day.
• If possible, add tracking to your devices so you know where they are if lost or stolen.
• Don’t use public wi-fi to make purchases, access bank accounts, or log into websites that contain personal information.
• Have a plan for how you or your company might respond to a ransomware attack.
• Think you’ve been hacked? Request a free security freeze, contact the N.C. Attorney General’s office, and monitor credit reports and bank accounts for errors and irregularities.

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