A PowerSchool data breach exposed information on 45 million students and teachers nationwide. Local districts in Massachusetts are investigating whether names, addresses, grades, and Social Security numbers were compromised. Cybersecurity expert Robert Siciliano recommends parents freeze their children's credit and consider identity-theft protection.
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Well, the impact here in Needham and frankly in many school districts is still unclear, but experts say there are steps you can take to protect yourself and your child. Needham, one of several school districts warning parents about the nationwide data breach leaked to the software company PowerSchool.
It's pretty scary. I mean, people got to be careful out there.
Needham says names, addresses, grades, even Social Security numbers could have been compromised. In a letter, Needham superintendent writes, the Needham Public Schools does not have direct confirmation that it was impacted in any way by this breach. We are following up with PowerSchool to find out more information on how the district may have been affected and for more details on the incident. Milton also warning parents. I think to only target schools is, I mean, it's concerning that schools are being targeted, but I think it's part of a larger issue. Westford and Canton also among the school districts looking into the issue.
The most important thing for everybody, children and adults, is to get what's called a credit freeze. So if they have, if they have your Social Security number, having a credit freeze makes that data, especially essentially innocuous.
Cybersecurity expert Robert Siciliano recommends you freeze your child's credit even if they weren't impacted and consider identity theft protection.
Yeah, and I say to everybody, consider you and your child's identity stolen, or at least in the hands of an identity thief.
Now Needham Superintendent says this— the school district has not collected Social Security numbers of staff or families through PowerSchool for many years. He says he will keep families and staff posted on any developments. Live in Needham, Charmaine Skitty, WCBB NewsCenter 5.
