OSG Hengelo

OSG Hengelo is a scholengemeenschap, or secondary school community, located in Hengelo, Netherlands. The institution provides educational services to approximately 2500 students and staff, operating as a key educational provider in the region. Its core mission involves delivering secondary education within the Dutch school system, serving the local community and surrounding areas. The school's infrastructure includes digital resources and ICT systems essential for modern educational operations, supporting both teaching and administrative functions.

In 2023, OSG Hengelo experienced two significant ransomware attacks that severely disrupted its operations. The first incident on May 23 resulted in encrypted servers, causing widespread loss of access to ICT systems including WiFi, printers, and telephones. This prevented online work and access to digital resources for the entire school community. An investigation by IT experts was ongoing to determine the cause, data involved, and potential information theft. Recovery efforts were lengthy, with services restored gradually. A second attack on June 13 further compromised an undetermined amount of data, leading the school community to negotiate a deal with the hackers. Following this, services such as WiFi and printers were restored for employees and students. These incidents highlight the institution's vulnerability to cyber threats and the extensive impact such attacks can have on educational continuity.