Canvas has experienced an cyber attack – currently offline
NEWS
The Canvas learning platform has been the target of a cyberattack and has therefore been temporarily shut down. The system will be out of service until at least 13:00 on Monday. There is a risk that data may have been leaked from the system.
“We are now doing everything we can to minimise the security risks. We understand that this is having a significant impact on students and teachers, and it is, of course, deeply regrettable,” says Therese Strandberg, Head of ITS at ͯƵ.
Canvas is the university’s shared learning platform, which is widely used in teaching. Sunet, the Swedish organisation for national IT services in higher education, has received information from the platform’s provider – Instructure – that a group of hackers has gained access to Canvas.
Canvas contains, among other things, contact details such as names, email addresses and personal identification numbers for the university’s students and staff. It also contains study-related data, such as quizzes, assignments and communication between teachers and students.
At present, it is unclear what data the attacker has accessed and whether this has been leaked further.
Due to the cyber attack, Umeå University has shut down Canvas, meaning that no one has access to the system. Canvas will remain closed until Monday, 11 May at 13:00, initially. This period may be extended.
"We understand, of course, that this is having a significant impact on both students and teachers, as teaching cannot be carried out as planned. But in this situation, our priority must be to do everything we can to protect the IT security of students, staff and the university,” says Therese Strandberg.
Umeå University is working intensively on the matter and is monitoring developments closely.
Questions and concerns?
Students who have questions regarding teaching, examinations and assessment should contact the course coordinator.
