List of Ransomware Attacks Against Schools in 2021

Dear Allan Liska,
Thank you for your interest in public records of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.  Your request has been received and is being processed.  Your request was received in this office on August 05, 2021 and given the reference number P001475-080521 for tracking purposes. To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law, I hereby request the following records:

A list of all schools or school districts in Massachusetts that have been victims of ransomware attacks in 2021 through July 31st. If possible, I'd like the school/district name, date of attack and the ransomware strain involved.

I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as we believe this request is in the public interest, as suggested but not stipulated by the recommendations of the Massachusetts Supervisor of Public Records. The requested documents will be made available to the general public free of charge as part of the public information service at MuckRock.com, processed by a representative of the news media/press and is made in the process of news gathering and not for commercial usage.

I expect the request to be filled in an accessible format, including for screen readers, which provide text-to-speech for persons unable to read print. Files that are not accessible to screen readers include, for example, .pdf image files as well as physical documents.

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 10 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Allan Liska

Upload documents directly: https://www.muckrock.com/
You can monitor the progress of your request at the link below and you'll receive an email when your request has been completed.

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

--- Please respond above this line ---

08/06/2021

Allan Liska
MuckRock News
DEPT MR 117177 411A Highland Ave
Somerville, MA 02144-2516

RE: Request for Public Records #P001475-080521

Dear Allan Liska:

On August 05, 2021, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (“Department”) received your request for public records. You asked for  "a list of all schools or school districts in Massachusetts that have been victims of ransomware attacks in 2021 through July 31st."  Please be advised, the Department has no such list, and reports of ransomware attacks to this agency are not required.  It is possible that such attacks would be reported to the local police department and/or the Department of Homeland Security and FBI.
I hope you find this helpful. If you wish to discuss this request or the Department’s response, you may reach me by use of the contact information below. Additionally, if you wish to challenge any aspect of this response, you may appeal to the Supervisor of Public Records following the procedure set forth in 950 C.M.R. 32.08, a copy of which is available at http://www.mass.gov/courts/case-legal-res/law-lib/laws-by-source/cmr/. You may also file a civil action in accordance with M.G.L. c. 66, § 10A.
Sincerely,

Bill Bell
Administration and Finance