Bernards Twp. Schools Reopen After 'Network Security Incident'

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — In the digital age, schools must prepare for anything. Bernards Township closed all of its district schools Wednesday because of a network security incident.

The district brought in an independent cybersecurity firm to investigate. The incident compromised computing devices connected to the school district's internet network, according to Superintendent Nick Markarian.

But after further investigation, the district has "no reason" to believe that computing devices connected to the network were compromised, Markarian said.

School resumed Thursday.

"In reviewing the nature of the network security incident, our hardware and systems, and the technical information provided by experts we have determined the incident to be server focused," Markarian wrote. "Therefore, we do not believe that individual Chromebooks, laptops, cell phones, etc. have been affected by this incident."

The district will add additional protections on school-issued devices in the coming days, Markarian said.

Specifics on the incident weren't immediately available. Patch contacted district leadership and will update with any response.

Coronavirus restrictions have required schools to put technology to greater use, but cybersecurity issues in schools predated the pandemic. The Livingston Public School District faced a Ransomware attack in 2019, prompting officials to delay classes. Read more: Virus Infects Livingston School CPU Servers; Delayed Opening

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