Union County Public Schools: Web server hacked, information may be compromised

UNION COUNTY, NC (WBTV) - Union County Public Schools employees are at-risk after someone hacked the Public School System web server Thursday.

According to an email from Superintendent Mary Ellis, "It is possible that confidential employee information, including social security numbers, has been compromised."

Officials say once the district learned about the hack, the web server was immediately shut down and disconnected while law enforcement was notified.

The District says it is working with law enforcement to determine what information, if any, was compromised, and to determine who is behind the cyber attack.

The Superintendent went on to say, "While I am hopeful that we will find that confidential information was not compromised, I want to err on the side of the safety and security of our employees by informing you of the potential that unknown entities may have had access to your personal information.

An update will be sent to you as soon as information is available. Additionally, you will receive information about the nature of the additional safeguards and procedures that will be put in place to prevent or minimize the potential for future occurrences."

The Union County Sheriff's Office said the investigation is still in its early stages and they do not yet know what information, if any, was affected.

A Sheriff's Office spokesperson said, "All we have at this point is an allegation, so we'll have to determine whether or not a crime was actually committed."

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