A possible computer breach and network outage prompted the cancellation of classes Monday for students in the Crown Point Community School Corp. as work continued to restore the network.
Parents and students will receive an update on the progress Monday afternoon.
Teachers and other staff members were to report to their schools on Monday. Students shouldn’t report to school and it’s not considered an e-learning day, officials said in a letter from Superintendent Todd Terrill on the district’s website.
Childcare will be available at Solon Robinson and Jerry Ross elementaries.
Terrill said the network wasn’t operating properly Nov. 21 and after the district brought in a cybersecurity firm, “we confirmed that the CPCSC network may have been compromised.”
It’s unclear whether personal information was accessed. Officials say when there’s a determination from the cybersecurity firm, the results will be shared with staff and families.
“We know this is frustrating to not have an answer for this, and we apologize that we cannot provide one at this time,” Terrill said.
The district’s secure entry system is working and all outside doors will remain locked during the school day with visitor entry only at the front entrances.
Officials offered no timeline for full restoration or the network and said some systems may become available as the weeks progress.
Email servers weren’t restored yet so staff members have to communicate via phone or messaging apps.
Terrill said the district’s technology team took the network down last week after parts of the network weren’t functioning properly.
The private technology firm and the district’s IT workers have worked around-the-clock, including Thanksgiving, Terrill said. “We are incredibly grateful for their efforts. They continue to work on the issue so that we are back to normal functionality soon.”
Parents who have questions may submit them via a form at www.cps.k12.in.us/techupdate.
Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.