The Education Bureau revealed this week that nine local schools have been hacked, of which four have had sensitive data stolen, including school financial plans, information on degree allocation, and personal information on students, teachers, and parents
The Bureau said the source of the attack on the schools’ Web-based School Administrative and Management Systems (WebSAMS) is still unknown, and the cases have been forwarded to the police for further investigation. Of the nine schools attacked, HKSKH Bishop Hall Secondary School, Po Leung Kuk Ho Yuk Ching College, Islamic Kasim Tuet Memorial College, and notable institution La Salle Primary School have had confidential information stolen, HK01 reports.
The schools have sent out notices to parents detailing the situation.
The Education Bureau pointed out that the type and quantity of data stored in the management system of each school varied, ranging from personal information on students, staff members, and parents, to information on school finances.
Authorities said the schools have been urged to follow up on the system intrusion and report to the Office of Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data and the affected individuals without delay. The Education Bureau also recommended they strengthen their cyber security.
According to the Computer Crimes Ordinance, any person with access to a computer with criminal or dishonest intent to cause loss on others is liable to a maximum of 5 years in prison. According to the Telecommunications Ordinance, any person who obtains unauthorised access to a computer and commits an offence shall be fined HKD$25,000 (about USD$3200).
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