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Beaver Today
By the People, for the People
Community College of Beaver County Hit by Ransomware Attack
Cyberattackers encrypt college data and demand ransom payments to restore access
Published on Mar. 9, 2026
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The Community College of Beaver County has been hit by a ransomware attack, with unknown bad actors encrypting all of the college's data and demanding ransom payments to restore access. The attack has left the college unable to access critical systems like grades, transcripts, and financial information, forcing the campus to close down while officials work with their insurance provider to try and resolve the situation.
Why it matters
Ransomware attacks on educational institutions have become increasingly common, disrupting operations and putting sensitive student and employee data at risk. This incident highlights the growing threat of cybercrime and the need for robust cybersecurity measures to protect critical infrastructure like community colleges.
The details
According to college officials, the ransomware attack was discovered on the first day of spring break when the IT department received a ransom note. The attackers have encrypted all of the college's computer systems, locking them out of essential data and services. The college has now locked down all IT resources and closed the campus, as they work with their insurance provider to try and identify the attackers and regain access to the encrypted data.
- The ransomware attack was discovered on the morning of March 9, 2026, the first day of spring break.
- The college has closed the campus as of 9:30 AM on March 9, 2026.
The players
Community College of Beaver County
A public community college located in Beaver, Pennsylvania, serving students in the Beaver County region.
Leslie Tennant
The vice president of communications at the Community College of Beaver County.
Paul Lauttamus
A cybersecurity expert from AV Lauttamus Security, providing commentary on the ransomware attack.
What they’re saying
“We came to campus this morning, the first day of spring break, and our IT department notified us that they received a ransom note and that we had been under cyberattack.”
— Leslie Tennant, Vice President of Communications (cbsnews.com)
“It's like breaking into a building, locking all the file cabinets and demanding money for the keys back. In this case, they've locked down the computer network and they're demanding payment to unlock the computer network.”
— Paul Lauttamus, Cybersecurity Expert (cbsnews.com)
What’s next
The college administration is currently in discussions with their insurance provider to try and identify the attackers and regain access to the encrypted data. School is scheduled to reopen next Monday, giving the college a week to resolve the situation before classes cannot resume.
The takeaway
This ransomware attack on the Community College of Beaver County underscores the growing threat of cybercrime targeting educational institutions. It highlights the need for robust cybersecurity measures and incident response plans to protect critical data and infrastructure, as well as the challenges institutions face in dealing with sophisticated cyber threats.
