Westfield Public Schools Network Outage Investigation

A ransomware attack may be the cause of the Westfield Public Schools district wide network outage, which began on the first day of school and continued for a third day on Thursday. The outage has shut down internet and Wi-Fi in the schools, including clocks and access to instructional tools, as well as district and school phone lines and the student information system, which includes parent portals.

Ransomware.live, a threat intelligence platform that tracks ransomware groups and their victims worldwide, lists Westfield Public Schools as a victim of a ransomware as a service operation called Incransom. However, Westfield school officials and the Westfield Police Department have not confirmed or denied that the district was the victim of a ransomware or any other cyber attack.

Superintendent Dr. Raymond Gonzalez stated in an email to school staff and families on Thursday afternoon: "At this time, the cause of the disruption remains under investigation." He added, "We are aware of claims and other information circulating online related to this matter. We understand why those reports raise questions. They are being reviewed as part of the investigative process, but we will not speculate about the cause of the disruption while the investigation remains ongoing."

Westfield Police Chief Christopher Battiloro confirmed that although phone lines are not working, schools retain the ability to communicate directly with emergency services. "Each Westfield school has the ability to communicate directly with the Westfield Police Department's public safety dispatch center that is independent of telephones," he explained. "That method was developed and implemented specifically for situations such as this."

Dr. Gonzalez reported that the technology team continues to work with external technology specialists to investigate and restore systems safely. Some systems remain intentionally offline during the investigation.

Teachers and staff have adapted by using print materials, discussion, writing, and collaborative activities that do not rely on network connectivity. Internet and Wi-Fi connectivity, district and school phone service, and systems dependent on network connectivity remain affected.

Union County Life covers Westfield schools and community updates. Find more Westfield news on Union County Life.

FAQ

Q: What is happening with Westfield Public Schools?
A: The district is experiencing a network outage that began on the first day of school and is now in its third day. Internet, Wi-Fi, phone lines, and the student information system are offline.

Q: Is this a ransomware attack?
A: A threat intelligence platform lists Westfield Public Schools as a possible victim of a ransomware-as-service operation called Incransom. However, Westfield school officials and police have not confirmed or denied this.

Q: What systems are affected?
A: Internet, Wi-Fi, school clocks, instructional tools, district and school phone lines, the student information system, and parent portals are all affected by the outage.

Q: What is Incransom?
A: Incransom is a ransomware-as-a-service operation tracked by Ransomware.live, a threat intelligence platform that monitors ransomware groups and victims worldwide.

Q: Why won't school officials confirm the ransomware claim?
A: Superintendent Dr. Gonzalez stated that the cause remains under investigation and officials will not speculate about the cause while the investigation is ongoing.

Q: Can schools still contact emergency services?
A: Yes. Each Westfield school has an independent communication system to contact the Westfield Police Department's dispatch center that does not rely on telephone lines.

Q: How are schools operating without Internet and phones?
A: Teachers and staff have adapted by using print materials, discussion, writing, and collaborative activities that do not require network connectivity.

Q: Who is investigating the outage?
A: The district's technology team is working with external technology specialists to investigate and restore systems safely.

Q: When will systems be restored?
A: No timeline has been announced. Some systems are intentionally remaining offline during the investigation.

Q: Can parents access student portals?
A: No. The student information system, which includes parent portals, is currently offline.

Q: How long will this continue?
A: The duration depends on the investigation and restoration process. Updates will be provided as they become available.