Franklin County Public Schools in Virginia closed on Monday due to an ongoing ransomware attack that affected the school division. The decision was made to ensure on-campus security while assessing the impact of the cyberattack.
The school system promptly launched an internal investigation and engaged third-party experts to halt the progress of the attack.
Superintendent Bernice Cobbs stated that the school is collaborating with local and national law enforcement, including the FBI and Virginia State Police, to address the incident. Ransomware is defined as a type of malware that encrypts computer data, rendering it inaccessible until a ransom is paid.
Cybercriminals may also steal data and demand payment for its release.
This attack is not the first to target local governments in the Roanoke and New River valleys. Previous incidents include a malware attack on Roanoke City Public Schools and a phishing attack compromising email accounts in Christiansburg.
Nationally, the FBI reported over 2,300 ransomware attacks in 2022, with health care, public health agencies, and government agencies being common targets.
In addition to the school closure, The Philadelphia Inquirer experienced a cyberattack over the weekend that disrupted its content management system and prevented the publication of its Sunday newspaper, marking the most significant disruption in the newspaper’s operations since a major snowstorm 27 years ago.
