The University of British Columbia (UBC) and Simon Fraser University (SFU), two of Canada’s largest institutions, are among thousands of learning institutions worldwide that have been affected by a cyber breach involving the popular online learning platform, Canvas. The hack, which occurred late Tuesday afternoon, has left students’ personal information vulnerable.
The Hack: A “Systems Breach”
According to an SFU spokesperson, around 9,000 learning institutions globally have been impacted by the breach, which may have compromised sensitive student data including names, email addresses, student ID numbers, and messages among Canvas users. This timing could not be worse, as finals week is in full swing at many universities, leaving students feeling anxious about their online security.
UBC’s Response: Log Out and Change Your Password
In response to the incident, UBC has instructed students who logged into Canvas on Thursday afternoon to log out until further notice. The university also advises that any affected users should change their password as a precautionary measure. Faculty, staff, and students are reminded to remain vigilant against phishing attempts and follow best practices for protecting their accounts and data.
Next Steps: An Investigation and Student Support
The Canadian government has been notified of the incident, and Instructure, Canvas’s parent company, is working to contain the breach. CBC News has reached out to the student unions at UBC and SFU, as well as Instructure, for further information. As students grapple with the fallout from this cyber attack, it remains to be seen how universities will support those affected in the coming days.
What happens next?
