Vanderbilt urges campus to shut down computers amid cyberattack

Live updates

1. 33m ago

   Vanderbilt urges campus shutdown of devices amid ransomware attack

   Vanderbilt University is telling students, faculty and staff to power down all computers and disconnect from the network as it battles an active ransomware intrusion. The school's IT division, VUIT, is leading the response with federal law enforcement and outside cybersecurity firms. Some systems have been restored as of the latest update, but core services including email, Wi-Fi and course platforms remain disrupted. A ransomware group claims to have stolen data including Social Security numbers, though the university has not confirmed the scope of any breach.

   Why it matters

   The attack began earlier this week and forced a campus-wide technology freeze that halted classes and research. Vanderbilt's public updates acknowledge ongoing forensic work but have not verified the ransomware group's assertions about data theft. The involvement of federal investigators signals the incident's severity and potential legal implications for the university.

   What is confirmed

   • Vanderbilt University urged its campus community to shut down computers and devices amid a cyberattack.
   • The university's IT division (VUIT) is responding to the incident with federal law enforcement and cybersecurity experts.
   • Some university systems have been reported back online as of the latest update.
   • A ransomware group has claimed responsibility and alleged theft of data including Social Security numbers.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Up to 1 million Social Security numbers may have been compromised in the breach.
   • The cyberattack is specifically a ransomware attack that has put the university on lockdown.

   What to watch next

   • University confirmation or denial of data exfiltration claims
   • Restoration timeline for email, Wi-Fi and learning management systems
   • Any public statement from federal law enforcement agencies involved
   Sources used for this update (11)

   1. Axios — Vanderbilt urges campus to shut down computers amid cyberattack
   2. WSMV — Vanderbilt urges university community to shut down devices amid cybersecurity incident. Here’s what we know
   3. Nashville Scene — Ransomware Attack Puts Vanderbilt on Lockdown
   4. The Vanderbilt Hustler — BREAKING: Vanderbilt experiencing cybersecurity attack, VUIT responding
   5. The Washington Post — Vanderbilt University shuts down devices after cyber attack
   6. The Tennessean — Vanderbilt cybersecurity issue sends students scrambling for WiFi
   7. WZTV — Vanderbilt cybersecurity incident disrupts classes as alleged hackers claim stolen data
   8. WKRN News 2 — 1M Social Security numbers could be at risk in Vanderbilt cyberattack
   9. WSMV — Cybercrime group claims it stole social security numbers during ongoing Vanderbilt breach, report says. Here’s what we know
   10. WZTV — Vanderbilt University reports some systems are back up after cyberattack
   11. news.vanderbilt.edu — Nov. 9: Active Cybersecurity Incident Updates | News | Vanderbilt University
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