University of Winnipeg

University of Winnipeg is a Canadian post‑secondary institution that delivers undergraduate and graduate education across a range of disciplines. It provides instructional services through classrooms, laboratories, and online platforms, supporting both on‑site and remote learning. The university also offers administrative functions such as student records, course registration, and financial aid processing via systems like Nexus, Web Advisor, and Colleague. In addition to teaching, it facilitates research activities and community engagement initiatives. Its primary market consists of domestic and international students seeking accredited degrees, as well as faculty and staff requiring academic and operational support. The institution supplies access to Microsoft 365 tools, campus telecommunications, and electronic door access as part of its everyday technology environment.

In March 2024 the university encountered a cyber incident that disrupted several core services. The affected systems included the Nexus learning management platform, Web Advisor, Colleague, the virtual private network, campus printing services, and the regular Wi‑Fi network. As a result, the university implemented immediate network security measures to contain the breach. While most in‑person classes resumed on schedule, online courses that relied on Nexus remained inaccessible. Instructors for those online courses were directed to use alternative delivery methods such as email or Microsoft Teams. To preserve basic connectivity, a temporary wireless network named TEMPWIFI was deployed across campus. The TEMPWIFI network provided limited internet access while essential services like Microsoft 365 tools, campus phones, and electronic door access continued to operate. The university engaged external cybersecurity experts and law‑enforcement authorities to assist with the investigation. These partners are helping to restore the affected systems, determine the origin of the incident, and assess any data impact. Throughout the response, the institution advised students, faculty, and staff to maintain trusted device logins for email access and to rely on verified communication channels. The episode demonstrates the university’s ability to activate a rapid incident response, coordinate with outside specialists, and sustain critical operations despite widespread service disruptions.