The University of Western Australia (UWA) has confirmed a security breach that has temporarily locked its students and staff out of university systems and software. In a recent statement, the university disclosed that an unauthorised individual gained access to sensitive password information, potentially jeopardising the personal details of thousands within the UWA community.
To safeguard against further risks, the university announced that all staff and students must reset their passwords to restore access to university systems. UWA stated, “As a precaution, we have detected unauthorised access to password information, leading to this lockout.”
Despite the breach, UWA insists that no additional sensitive information was compromised and is prioritising an investigation into the incident. The chief information officer, Fiona Bishop, clarified that there is no evidence to suggest ransomware was involved in the breach, as reported to ABC News Radio Perth.
To assist those affected, the university is working diligently to restore access and has granted a three-day extension for student assessments. This incident follows a troubling trend, as earlier in the year, Western Sydney University faced a data breach affecting the personal data of around 10,000 students and staff, with some data reportedly surfacing on the dark web.
UWA serves nearly 30,000 students and employs close to 4,000 staff members, making the security of its systems vital for maintaining the safety and trust of its community. The university continues to prioritise the resolution of this issue while reassuring its members that they are actively addressing the situation.