Data from PowerSchool, North Carolina’s school software system that contains personal information regarding teachers and students, was compromised last month, according to a PowerSchool spokesperson.
What You Need To Know
- Unauthorized access to PowerSchool posed a cybersecurity threat to students and teachers’ information
- PowerSchool has been the official student data information system in North Carolina public schools since 2023
- Powerschool said they do not anticipate the data being shared or made public, and are monitoring the dark web for any exposure
- PowerSchool will send impacted families and teachers more information to help support them
PowerSchool said it became aware of a potential cybersecurity problem when unauthorized access was made on Dec. 28.
While it isn’t clear what data may have become available during this access, a Department of Public Instruction spokesperson said the accessed data has been destroyed and no copies exist, adding that they are monitoring the dark web for any data exposure.
“A full incident report will be provided by CrowdStrike, a third party cybersecurity company working with PowerSchool, after a full analysis,” a PowerSchool representative said.
PowerSchool is the official data-storing student information system used by the public and charter schools across North Carolina, according to the Department of Public Instruction. The software manages information for more than 1.5 million students and almost 100,000 teachers in North Carolina, according to the state. PowerSchool can track student attendance records, transcripts and contact information.
"Protecting student and educator data is a top priority, and we are taking this matter very seriously. We will continue to provide support and updates as we learn more," DPI said in a letter to school districts.
They added PowerSchool plans on sending packets to affected customers, families and teachers to help support them.
In November 2023, the North Carolina State Board of Education voted to replace PowerSchool with an alternate software, Infinite Campus. PowerSchool will continue to be in effect until the statewide transition on Jul. 1, 2025. NCDPI said they didn't have access to where the breach happened, meaning only their vendor had administrative access.
Since 2005, school districts, colleges and universities have experienced data breaches that affect over 37 million records.