Cyber Incident Victim: San Ysidro School District
Date:
Sep 2017
Location:
United States of America
Summary
The San Ysidro School District suffered a ransomware attack that infected its computer systems, resulting in deleted emails and a partial network shutdown to contain the incident. The malware demanded a ransom payment equivalent to approximately $19,000 in Bitcoin, mirroring similar attacks targeting educational institutions across multiple states. District operations were disrupted as administrators temporarily disabled affected systems during the response.
| CIA Posture | Motives | Tactics, Techniques & Procedures |
|---|---|---|
| Available to members | 1 motive | 1 technique |
| Threat Actors | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 0 actors | Available to members | Available to members |
Description
In September 2017, the San Ysidro School District experienced a ransomware attack that disrupted its operations. The malware infection occurred over the weekend of September 16, with attackers demanding approximately $19,000 in Bitcoin to restore access to compromised systems. The ransomware deleted emails from district computers, causing immediate data loss and impairing communication channels. This incident mirrored similar attacks targeting educational institutions across the United States that year, including districts in Maryland and Montana. The district was forced to temporarily shut down portions of its computer systems to contain the malware's spread and assess the damage. The attack specifically impacted email services, though the full scope of affected systems beyond email deletion wasn't detailed in available reports. No evidence suggests student or employee personal data was exfiltrated, though the email destruction alone created significant operational challenges.
The district's response included proactive system shutdowns to prevent further propagation of the ransomware. This containment measure caused additional operational disruptions beyond the initial email deletion, though specific duration of downtime wasn't disclosed. The $19,000 ransom demand remained unresolved in available documentation, with no confirmation of payment or data recovery. Financial impacts were limited to the ransom amount and potential recovery costs, rather than regulatory fines or legal settlements. The incident highlighted vulnerabilities in educational institution networks during a year marked by multiple school district cyberattacks. San Ysidro's experience demonstrated ransomware's ability to disrupt core administrative functions through targeted system compromises and data destruction.