On January 18, 2025, Harrison County Schools, based in Clarksburg, West Virginia, experienced a cybersecurity incident involving unauthorized access to some of its computer systems. In response, the district temporarily disabled its network over the holiday weekend and enlisted external cybersecurity experts to assess the breach. However, the district waited until January 23 to publicly disclose the incident, raising concerns about transparency. Officials have not confirmed whether sensitive data was compromised but assured the public that they are working to secure their systems and will provide further updates.
The delay in disclosure has drawn scrutiny, as timely reporting is critical in cybersecurity incidents, especially when personal data may be at risk. The full impact remains unclear, including whether ransomware or data theft was involved. As educational institutions increasingly become cyberattack targets, this incident underscores the need for strong cybersecurity defenses and clear communication strategies. Authorities, including state officials, may become further involved as the investigation continues.
