NSW Department of Education hit by suspected cyberattack as teachers prepare for online lessons

The NSW Education Department took its internal systems offline on Wednesday night as a precautionary measure after the incident was discovered, a spokesperson said.

“The timing creates significant challenges for staff as we prepare for the start of the third trimester,” NSW Education Secretary Georgina Harrisson said in a statement.

“Fortunately, our teams were able to isolate the issues and we are working to reactivate services as soon as possible. “

Ms Harrisson said data safety and security was the ministry’s “top priority” and that systems would remain offline while investigations continued.

“I am confident that the problem will be resolved soon and I want to reassure teachers and parents that there will be no impact on the students who are learning at home next week,” Ms. Harrisson said.

“While we are confident that all systems will be back online by the first day of the third quarter, we are making information to support home learning available on our public website so that preparations for the start of the quarter are made available. can continue. “

NSW Teachers Federation President Angelo Gavrielatos said the incident had a profound impact on teachers.

“This has caused a state of paralysis in the education sector in New South Wales,” he said.

Mr Gavrielatos said many of the essential tools teachers use to prepare for running classes, including those run online, were not available.

“Teachers and principals cannot access portals, operational guidelines, emails, calendars, Zoom… They cannot access anything,” he said.

“This is causing considerable stress as teachers and principals try to get schools to operate online next week. “

Sydney’s extended lockdown, which is due to end on July 16, will force schools in greater Sydney to hold the first four days of the next term online.

As part of the lockdown, only children of essential workers can attend in person, with everyone encouraged to learn remotely.

Classes should resume for everyone next Tuesday.

The Education Department has contacted Cyber ​​Security NSW, police and federal agencies to help investigate, a spokesperson said.