Harvard Under Fire: Major Data Breach Exposes Sensitive Alumni and Donor Info After Phishing Attack
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In the latest cyberattack targeting Ivy League schools, Harvard University has fallen victim to a major data breach after an unauthorized party gained access to its database through a phone phishing attack. The breach, which occurred on Tuesday, compromised personal contact information, donation details, and other sensitive data from alumni and fundraising engagement. Harvard, the oldest and richest US university, typically raises over $1 billion annually. This is the second time this year that the university has investigated a breach, following a hacking campaign targeting Oracle Corp. customers in October. While the identity of the attackers remains unknown, Harvard's IT department took swift action to remove the attacker's access and prevent further unauthorized access. The university is collaborating with third-party cybersecurity experts and law enforcement to investigate the incident. This breach is part of a larger trend of US colleges being targeted by hackers, with Ivy League schools facing a particularly high number of attacks in recent months. Princeton University reported a similar breach on November 15, while the University of Pennsylvania discovered compromised information systems related to its development and alumni activities on October 31. Columbia University also faced a hack in June that exposed personal information of around 870,000 individuals, including students and applicants. As Harvard navigates this cyberattack, it highlights the need for increased cybersecurity measures in educational institutions to protect sensitive information and prevent future breaches.
