Breach impacts 80% of Manitoba school divisions
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
We need your support!
Local journalism needs your support!
As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed.
Now, more than ever, we need your support.
Starting at $15.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website.
Subscribe Nowor call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527.
Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community!
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Brandon Sun access to your Free Press subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $20.00 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.00 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 10/01/2025 (394 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
A major cybersecurity breach at PowerSchool — widely used as a Student Information System (SIS) provider — has impacted approximately 80 per cent of Manitoba school divisions, Innovation and New Technology Minister Mike Moroz said on Thursday.
Moroz’s confirmation came a day after the Brandon School Division (BSD) sent an email to parents on Wednesday evening, notifying them about a cybersecurity breach in late December. BSD said the breach could have resulted in some of its PowerSchool data having been accessed, even as it continues to investigate the matter.
The minister described the event as “a continent-wide breach of a private company,” and that it has “certainly” affected more than just Manitoba.
Innovation and New Technology Minister Mike Moroz described the cybersecurity event as “a continent-wide breach of a private company,” and that it “certainly” affected more than just Manitoba. (File)
“The provincial government is committed to safeguarding personal data in the face of increasing cyber threats. We are taking thoughtful action to address them,” he said on Thursday. “Incidents like this one serve as critical lessons. We are working to ensure best practices are shared across the public and private sectors to enhance cybersecurity measures.”
The breach is said to have affected various school divisions earlier this month and was wide-ranging in its scope, affecting PowerSchool customers across Canada and the United States.
The Brandon School Division and Mountain View School Division were among those confirming the impact of the breach through statements issued to parents and the community.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Manitoba Education said in a statement that divisions are responsible for their own student-information systems.
“The province is aware of a cybersecurity incident involving PowerSchool and is in communication with school divisions to determine the extent of this issue,” the spokesperson wrote.
PowerSchool itself was the target of the cyberattack, not the school divisions. The accessed data included student and staff contact information, as well as information provided at the time of student registration or staff employment, the school divisions said in statements issued Wednesday.
“No banking information or student images were accessed, and PowerSchool has assured clients that the compromised data has been deleted and was not copied or uploaded elsewhere,” the statements read.
“PowerSchool has provided us with assurances that the accessed data has now been deleted,” Mountain View School Division acting Supt. Suzanne Cottyn said in a statement published on the school division’s website. “PowerSchool has confidence that the data was not copied or uploaded elsewhere.”
The provider (PowerSchool) has since implemented enhanced security measures, including deactivating compromised accounts and improving password and access protocols, Cottyn added.
School divisions have taken swift action to address the breach and communicate with affected families. Both Brandon and Mountain View School Divisions emphasized their commitment to transparency and data security.
“The safety and security of our data — particularly the information of your children and our staff — is of paramount importance to us,” said Cottyn.
Commenting on considering alternatives to PowerSchool, Moroz said decisions about SIS providers are made by individual school divisions.
“Some divisions have chosen different systems,” the minister added. “We’re staying in touch with the divisions to support their efforts to protect student data.”
BSD Supt. Mathew Gustafson did not respond to the Sun’s request for comment on the impact of the breach on the division.
Manitoba School Board Association president Sandy Nemeth said she could not make comments at the moment.
Manitoba’s previous Progressive Conservative government was working to implement a province-wide student information system. Details about the status of that initiative and whether it is being carried out were not immediately available Thursday morning.
» aodutola@brandonsun.com, with files from the Winnipeg Free Press
» X: @AbiolaOdutola