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PowerSchool Data Breach

 

New Hanover County Schools is committed to being transparent and delivering information as quickly as possible regarding the global cybersecurity incident with PowerSchool. All legal notifications will be sent from PowerSchool to individuals whose information was compromised. PowerSchool has a tentative timeline of notifications by the end of January. In an effort to assist our families and staff, we have included the messages from the Superintendent below. We have also included links to the PowerSchool website that has the incident details along with frequently asked questions for families and educators.

Additionally, you will find a link to the Department of Justice's Security Freeze Website with details on what is a security freeze and how to complete one. 

As additional details become available we will notify our staff and families via our communication platforms as well as updating information here.
 
 

Superintendent's Message: January 23, 2025

Subject: Important Update on PowerSchool Cybersecurity Incident

Dear NHCS Community,

We want to reach out with an update regarding the recent cybersecurity incident involving PowerSchool, our Student Information System (SIS). We understand that this news may be unsettling, and we want to reassure you that we are here to support our students, families, and educators every step of the way.

What Happened?
On December 28, 2024, PowerSchool detected unauthorized access to certain personal information within its system. This breach was a result of a PowerSchool employee and nothing NHCS did or could have done would have changed the outcome of this event. We recognize that your personal information is important, and we are working diligently to provide the necessary resources and support.

What Help is Available?
To ensure our community has access to all available information, NHCS has created a dedicated website that will be regularly updated with the latest details regarding the data breach. We will also send timely messages to keep you informed.

PowerSchool has partnered with Experian, a trusted credit monitoring service, to provide two years of complimentary identity protection for all affected students and educators. This includes credit monitoring services for adult students and educators, even if their Social Security numbers were not compromised.

Next Steps for You:
PowerSchool will begin reaching out to affected individuals in the coming weeks. Notifications will be sent via email (where available) and through postal mail. These notices will include important details about the incident and clear instructions on how to enroll in identity protection and credit monitoring services. We understand that many staff and students' email and mailing addresses may have changed over the years and we will continue to advocate for updated information that we can pass to you as it becomes available. PowerSchool is responsible for all notifications.

How You Can Stay Safe:
We encourage everyone to remain vigilant by regularly reviewing financial account statements and being alert to any unusual activity. Taking proactive steps can help protect your information and provide peace of mind. We have also provided helpful links on our website with instructions for completing a security freeze.

Support and Assistance:
Experian will be offering a dedicated call center to answer any questions and provide support regarding the incident and the enrollment process for protection services. If your information was part of the data breach, details on how to contact Experian will be included in the notification letter you receive from PowerSchool.

We deeply appreciate the trust you place in New Hanover County Schools, and we want you to know that your safety and security are our highest priorities. We are working closely with PowerSchool to ensure all necessary measures are in place to protect our school community now and in the future.

Thank you for your patience, understanding, and continued support as we navigate this situation together.


Sincerely,
Dr. Christopher Barnes
Interim Superintendent
New Hanover County Schools


 

Previous Superintendent's Messages

 

PowerSchool Website Incident Details

Free Security Freeze Details and Instructions

"A “security freeze” blocks access to your credit unless you have given your permission. This can prevent an identity thief from opening a new account or getting credit in your name. All consumers can get a free security freeze online, by phone or by mail. A security freeze, also known as a credit or a file freeze, can be lifted (or “thawed”) temporarily when you are applying for credit, or removed permanently. Parents and guardians can also shield their children’s credit report with a special Protected Consumer security freeze. These freezes can also be used to safeguard incapacitated adults."

-DOJ Website