WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (WGHP) — The City of Winston-Salem is experiencing its second “cyber event,” according to an official announcement from Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools released Wednesday.
The school district received notification on Tuesday that an unauthorized entity had infiltrated its system, along with other educational institutions across the state, country, and globally.
“The incident resulted in unauthorized access to information pertaining to WS/FCS students, families, and personnel,” WS/FCS confirmed.
PowerSchool, North Carolina’s student information system provider, has implemented measures to prevent data misuse and believes the accessed information has been successfully removed.
“PowerSchool has indicated that the situation is under control and they don’t expect any public disclosure of the data. Law enforcement agencies are actively monitoring for any potential spread or sharing of the information,” according to WS/FCS.
On the afternoon of January 7, PowerSchool, the state’s designated student information system provider, informed the district about unauthorized system access. The breach affected multiple school systems globally, including WS/FCS, compromising information about students, families, and staff.
PowerSchool, federal law enforcement, and NC Department of Public Instruction officials are conducting an investigation into the incident. PowerSchool has reported implementing protective measures against further data misuse and believes the accessed information has been eliminated. The company maintains that the situation is contained and doesn’t anticipate public exposure of the data, with law enforcement monitoring for any potential information sharing.
WS/FCS is maintaining close coordination with PowerSchool and NC DPI to determine the scope of accessed information and identify PowerSchool’s planned support measures for individuals affected by the data breach.
NC DPI has clarified that this company-level incident was beyond WS/FCS’s control and couldn’t have been prevented by the district.
PowerSchool serves as a mandatory web-based platform that North Carolina requires school systems to use for managing student and staff data. WS/FCS emphasizes its commitment to protecting student and staff information and is treating this situation with utmost seriousness.
The district commits to keeping families and staff updated as additional information becomes available from PowerSchool and NC DPI.
The district appreciates the community’s patience as they work alongside other affected school districts worldwide to address this situation.
Meanwhile, Winston-Salem residents have been unable to process online city bill payments for nearly two weeks due to a separate cyber event that disrupted municipal networks on Dec. 26.
During the year’s first Winston-Salem City Council meeting, City Manager William Patrick Pate addressed the council regarding the city’s response to this cyber incident.
He elaborated that specific city computer systems were temporarily disabled as a precautionary measure. Pate indicated that the city has sought assistance from external organizations to aid in the ongoing investigation.
Multiple agencies have joined forces to investigate the cyber incident, including the North Carolina National Guard, the North Carolina Local Government System Association Strike Team, the North Carolina Department of Emergency Management, the FBI, and two divisions of the Department of Homeland Security.
When FOX8 approached Assistant City Manager Ben Rowe seeking clarity about the initial cause of the computer system failure, his response was limited.
“What we’ve identified is an irregularity within our network system, which prompted us to launch an investigation,” Rowe explained.
While declining to provide specifics about the irregularity, Rowe confirmed that residents remain unable to process online city payments due to the ongoing system outage.
He further stated that the active investigation prevents him from sharing additional details.
Rowe then prepared to address the community..
