Arabic version: اختراق أمني يعيق الوصول إلى كانفاس لآلاف الطلاب
Tens of thousands of students and teachers have been unable to access the Canvas learning management system following a significant cybersecurity breach. According to ABC News, the incident has left hundreds of thousands of students unable to complete schoolwork or submit assessments.
The breach occurred on May 2 and was attributed to the notorious hacking group ShinyHunters. Students and teachers attempting to log into Canvas were met with ransom messages demanding payment, as the group claimed a second hack had taken place. Instructure, the company behind Canvas, reported that while the system is available for most users, it remains unclear when full functionality will be restored.
Educational institutions across Australia, including universities and public schools in multiple states, were affected by the breach. QUT students expressed frustration over the inability to access necessary resources, particularly with assessments due. Queensland’s education minister confirmed that QLearn, a platform linked to Canvas, was shut down as a “preventative action”.
Despite the disruption, the National Cyber Security Coordinator, Michelle McGuinness, indicated that the full impact of the data breach is still being assessed. She assured that sensitive personal information, including financial details and passwords, was not compromised. The focus remains on supporting educational institutions and ensuring the safety of online information for students and staff.
