Albuquerque Public Schools Cyberattack - Week of January 10, 2022

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act, I hereby request the following records:

1.) Any and all memos, letters, or records distributed to parents, teachers, etc. regarding the week of January 10, 2022, Albuquerque Public Schools cyberattack.

During the week of January 10, 2022, Albuquerque Public Schools announced that they will be closed due to a cyberattack. Teachers discovered that they were locked out of the student information database that tracks attendance, records emergency contacts for students, and tracks which adults are allowed to pick up which students at the end of the school day. Albuquerque Public Schools hasn't said if the cyber attack they face is a ransomware attack, only that their student information database was "compromised," and that it's working with law enforcement and contractors to limit the damage.

APS Superintendent Scott Elder says they discovered the attack on Wednesday morning when teachers began logging onto the student information system and were not able to get into the site. APS officials say the software is used to keep track of attendance, grades, and access to students’ emergency contact information.

https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/13/politics/cyberattacks-schools-new-mexico-ransomware/index.html

https://www.krqe.com/news/education/cyber-attack-causes-albuquerque-public-schools-to-cancel-classes-thursday/

https://techxplore.com/news/2022-01-cyber-albuquerque-latest-schools.html

https://www.npr.org/2022/01/14/1072970219/cyber-attack-in-albuquerque-latest-to-target-public-schools?t=1649700331500

https://thehill.com/policy/cybersecurity/589810-albuquerque-schools-remain-closed-for-second-day-following-cyber-attack/

https://wtop.com/education/2022/02/cyberattacks-increasingly-hobble-pandemic-weary-us-schools/

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 15 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Joanne Riford