Cyber Incident Victim: Kansas State University
Date:
Jan 2024
Location:
United States of America
Summary
Kansas State University experienced a cybersecurity incident disrupting multiple IT services, including VPN access, email systems, online learning platforms, shared drives, printers, and listservs. The university isolated affected systems upon detection and engaged third-party forensic experts to investigate the disruption while working to restore services. Temporary measures included resuming limited email communications through a modified format and providing alternative wireless network access. Academic continuity guidance was distributed to mitigate impacts on instruction, though some service delays persisted. The investigation remains ongoing with no confirmed data compromise disclosed at this stage.
| CIA Posture | Motives | Tactics, Techniques & Procedures |
|---|---|---|
| Available to members | 2 motives | 6 techniques |
| Threat Actors | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 0 actors | Available to members | Available to members |
Description
On January 16, 2024, Kansas State University (K-State) announced disruptions affecting several critical IT systems, including VPN access, K-State Today email distribution, and video services on the Canvas learning management system and Mediasite platform. Initial university communications at 9:25 a.m. acknowledged technical issues without specifying a cause, directing users to web-based versions of K-State Today for updates. By 6:15 p.m. that same day, K-State confirmed these disruptions resulted from a cybersecurity incident, prompting immediate isolation and deactivation of affected infrastructure. Impacted systems remained offline indefinitely, with cascading outages affecting university listservs, shared network drives, printing services, and KSU Wireless connectivity. The university engaged third-party IT forensic specialists to assist investigation efforts while prioritizing academic and operational continuity through alternative communication channels and temporary workarounds. Academic leadership received guidance on substituting Mediasite video resources, while administrators coordinated with departmental contacts to address business process interruptions.
Restoration efforts commenced on January 17 with the partial reinstatement of K-State Today emails using a simplified format featuring delayed delivery and reduced content volume. Subsequent updates between January 18-21 detailed progress on reactivating listservs—including automated re-sending of failed messages—and temporary wireless network alternatives via KSU Guest access. The university consistently emphasized vigilance against potential phishing scams targeting the community during the outage period, directing students to the central IT Help Desk and faculty/staff to departmental IT contacts for incident reporting. No information regarding data compromise or threat actor attribution appeared in official communications or third-party reporting as of January 21. University leadership characterized the response as resource-intensive and ongoing, with updates provided exclusively through the k-state.edu/update portal to avoid compromising investigative integrity.