Hawaii Community College was the target of a recent ransomware attack, according to a University of Hawaii system spokesman.
Dan Meisenzahl, UH’s director of communications, confirmed the cyberattack in a Tuesday email.
“Hawaii Community College representatives are actively working with federal authorities and cybersecurity experts,” Meisenzahl said.. “The Hawaii Community College campus was notified of a cybersecurity incident on Tuesday, June 13, shortly after UH was made aware of the situation.”
A UH employee who isn’t authorized to speak to the media but did so anonymously called the cybersecurity breach “a pretty big deal.”
“Apparently, all employees are locked out of their files, (and) employees are being advised to monitor their personal and financial records,” the individual said.
“UH System Information Technology Services responded immediately and took the Hawaii CC network offline and took additional steps to protect all UH networks,” Meisenzahl said. “Hawaii Community College is the only UH campus identified in the attack by the group claiming responsibility.
“At this time, UH cybersecurity experts do not believe that other UH campuses have been impacted.”
Charlie Snader, director of Information Technology Services at UH-Hilo said Tuesday the UH-Hilo campus was unaffected by the cyberattack.
“We’re always looking at security postures to ensure that all factors concerning an attack are protected,” Snader said.
It was unclear Tuesday whether HCC employees remain locked out of their files, nor does the Tribune-Herald know what group claimed responsibility for the attack, because Meisenzahl said UH has “no further comment at this time as the investigation continues.”
Lt. Zachary Fernando of Hawaii Police Department’s East Hawaii Criminal Investigations Section said the department was unaware of the cyberattack.
A phone call Tuesday to the Federal Bureau of Investigation wasn’t returned in time for this story.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.