Cyberattack shuts down NCU systems, students warned of data breach

The Northern Caribbean University (NCU) is grappling with a major cyberattack that has crippled key computer systems, forcing the administration to warn current and former students about "the possibility that personal data could be released to the public."

The Manchester-based institution said university records and student financial databases are inaccessible.

"Although there has been no indication that information about current and former students has been made public, the administration is alerting these stakeholders of the possibility that personal data could be released to the public by the cyberattackers," it said in a statement on Monday evening.

The attack occurred on Saturday.

The university said a multi-agency response has been triggered, with reports filed to the Jamaica Cyber Incident Response Team, the Office of the Information Commissioner, and the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency.

The cyberattack has rendered the Learning Management System inoperable, forcing students and lecturers to use alternative platforms.

The university’s website remains down, but it said its social media platforms and email system are operational.

Staff members are required to continue working as usual unless otherwise instructed by their supervisors.

There is no timeline for when normal operations will be restored.

In January 2022, NCU was hit by ransomware, a type of malware that encrypts files on a device, rendering them unusable for affected files and systems.

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