Ohio School Boards Association Hit by Cyberattack
The Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA), located in Columbus, Ohio, experienced a significant cyberattack on Thursday, August 8, 2024. The attack disrupted its operations and severed its connection to the Internet. The attack disabled the association's email systems and website, affecting its ability to serve over 700 school boards and 3,500 board members across Ohio.
OSBA CEO Kathy McFarland stated that there is no evidence that the hackers accessed sensitive personal data, as the organization typically does not store such information. However, she advised members to monitor their accounts for any unusual activity. The attack comes at a critical time, just as many school districts are preparing for the new academic year.
The organization has engaged outside cybersecurity experts to investigate the breach and work on restoring normal operations. The OSBA is the latest in a series of Ohio organizations to fall victim to cyberattacks, following a similar incident involving the city of Columbus last month.
Efforts to fully recover and resume services are ongoing, with the OSBA prioritizing restoring essential functions to support Ohio's school boards during this critical period.