On Friday, UNO discovered what the school described as “indicators of compromise” and took systems offline to implement security measures.
NEW ORLEANS — Computer networks on the University of New Orleans campus are slowly coming back online.
On Friday, UNO discovered what the school described as “indicators of compromise” and took systems offline to implement security measures.
This weekend, students were unable to access many of the school’s online services, including email and Moodle, a web-based learning platform used by students and teachers.
“Now all our courses have been postponed,” said August Hewitt, the UN’s major in history. “We couldn’t access Moodle at all this weekend. So for some people, like me, trying to graduate, it’s quite difficult. It really pushes us back.”
“Email was down, so we couldn’t really keep in touch with the community on campus, so the only thing that was actually available was the actual website,” said Cameron Williams, the UN’s senior physicist.
The university’s Wi-Fi network, email, Moodle and Zoom were all restored as of Monday morning, according to the UN.
UN President John Nicklow issued a statement saying, in part, “I want our campus community to know that this is a complex process as we gradually bring services back online as safely and quickly as possible.”
“I’m glad that the university got over it and did a relatively good job, so that I could actually continue with my school-leaving certificate. If anything, it’s pushed back deadlines,” Hewitt said.
Four other state colleges and universities, including Nunez Community College in Chalmette, have also been hit by cyber threats. The school held distance learning on Monday and expected to return to normal operations on Tuesday.
Last month, Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond also had some sort of on-campus cyber incident.
Cameron Williams is also taking a virtual quantum physics class at SLU.
“They were out for two weeks,” Williams said. “It really sucked for this class because this class is pretty difficult.”
Other schools affected by cyber shutdowns include River Parishes Community College, Southern University at Shreveport and LSU Agricultural Center.
The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security released this statement:
“The institutions decided to implement these improvements following an investigative effort by the Louisiana State Police Cyber Crime Unit that found potential evidence of a compromise within the networks. Forensic and investigative efforts continue by the Louisiana State Police Cyber Crime Unit. These recovery activities have been coordinated between the institutions and government cybersecurity experts to minimize potential risks and impacts on the schools’ respective communities. Each school will provide updates via their social media and/or emergency alert platforms shortly as progress is made on each individual network. Services at each school will be brought back online as quickly and as safely as possible.”
Here is UN President John Nicklow’s full statement:
“I’m encouraged by the progress we’re making in restoring services and I’m so grateful for the incredible work done by our IT professionals and our cybersecurity partners at the Governor’s Office. I want our campus community to know that this is a complex process as we gradually bring services back online as safely and quickly as possible. In particular, I want our students to know that we will work to support them through this disruption. We appreciate their patience.”
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