University of Copenhagen denies new cyber attack, but system disruptions continue after data breach
The University of Copenhagen has rejected claims that it was hit by a new cyber attack on Monday, after initially shutting down several systems. Data on 525,000 people was compromised in the first attack.
University of Copenhagen: No new attack – but systems remain down
The University of Copenhagen was not hit by another cyber attack on Monday, the university has stated. This according to The Copenhagen Post, which reports that the University of Copenhagen initially shut down a range of administrative systems after activity apparently indicated a new attack.
On Monday evening, the university confirmed on its website that there was no new attack. A controlled shutdown is nonetheless being maintained as a precautionary measure in connection with the original security breach, and certain systems are still experiencing disruptions.
The first attack was disclosed on Friday. External actors gained access to information on approximately 525,000 people, including full names, civil registration numbers, telephone numbers and private email addresses. The breach also compromised PIN codes for access cards belonging to approximately 20,000 employees and students.
The university temporarily introduced restrictions on physical access to selected critical locations following a security assessment. These locations have since been reopened, as all affected cardholders have received new PIN codes.
The University of Copenhagen is not the only Danish educational institution to have been targeted. The Technical University of Denmark and Aarhus University have both experienced cyber attacks within the past few weeks.
Christina Egelund, minister for research, higher education and digitalisation, previously told Ritzau that leaders from the country's eight universities had been called to a meeting on Monday to discuss security.
Source: The Copenhagen Post