MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) -- The Alabama State Department of Education held a press conference Wednesday to discuss an ongoing data breach impacting its computer system.
Alabama State Superintendent of Education Dr. Eric Mackey said the information system staff at the Alabama State Department of Education stopped a cyberattack on June 17.
He said hackers attempted to access its computer system servers and some data was breached. All services have been restored at this time.
Mackey also stated the attack is believed to be the work of “criminal syndicates […] beyond national lines.” However, Mackey added that the department had no plans to negotiate with those behind the attack.
Mackey did not elaborate on what information was exposed during the attack or how that could affect families.
"To all parents and all local and state education employees out there, they should monitor their credit, they should assume that some of their data were compromised," Mackey said.
The ALSDE website and data breach information page will be undergoing maintenance at 5 p.m. on Wednesday. Both sites will be down for roughly two to four hours as “critical updates” are issued.
The ALSDE has been coordinating with its IT department and the Alabama Attorney General’s Office as well as state and federal law enforcement agencies in the aftermath. Additionally, an unnamed third-party agency has assisted in mitigating the situation.
Officials are unable to disclose what information was possibly impacted and advised those with personal data in the system to take steps such as monitoring their credit scores. More information can be found on the state department's website.
Watch the full press conference in the video player above.
