Okanagan College recovers from cyber attack

As of last report, Okanagan College was still impacted by a cyber attack that targeted its public website and learning management site earlier this week.

It also affected the ability to send all-user emails to students and staff and the institution was trying to determine if any personal information had been compromised.

College president Neil Fassina said in a statement on Wednesday, the institution’s information technology services team discovered the attack on Monday around 6:15 a.m. while conducting routine surveillance.

Fassina said the attack, launched by an “unrecognized external agent,” forced the IT services team to shut down and disable network access across all of Okanagan College’s campuses in Kelowna, Vernon, Penticton and Salmon Arm.

“It has also impacted our ability to send all-user emails to our students and staff. We are working very hard to restore secure access as soon as possible, Fassina said in the statement.

The IT team is investigating the incident with the help of independent cyber security experts.

As of Wednesday morning, campus network services had not been restored.

To protect from the risk of identity theft or fraud, Okanagan College said anyone who received unusual emails or text messages in the days ahead claiming to be from OC and asking for personal information that were not expected, to be vigilant and to not send personal information unless you are confident the communication is authentic.