Lexington, South Carolina, September 12, 2025
News Summary
The Lexington-Richland School District Five has suffered a major data breach, affecting the personal information of over 31,000 individuals. The breach, attributed to the Interlock ransomware gang, includes names, birthdates, Social Security numbers, and more. In response, the district is offering complimentary credit monitoring and identity theft insurance, while also enhancing cybersecurity measures. The incident has raised significant concerns about security protocols and operational disruptions within the district. Investigations are ongoing, with collaboration from law enforcement and cybersecurity specialists.
Lexington, South Carolina — The Lexington-Richland School District Five experienced a significant data breach on June 3, 2025, which has compromised the personal information of over 31,000 individuals. The breach, attributed to the Interlock ransomware gang, has raised serious concerns regarding security protocols in place at the district.
The compromised data includes the names and birthdates of current and former students and employees, Social Security numbers, state-issued ID information, and financial account details. The breach was officially reported in a filing with the Office of the Maine Attorney General.
In response to this breach, the district is offering all affected individuals a year of complimentary credit monitoring services and $1 million in identity theft insurance. Superintendent Akil E. Ross Sr. stated that independent cybersecurity experts have been engaged to help investigate the unauthorized access to their network and implement necessary remedial actions.
The breach has caused notable disruptions within the district’s software and operational functions. Employees encountered delays in retention bonus payments, affected by ongoing internet outages resulting from the hacker’s activities. Additionally, some teachers were unable to log into their accounts, and students experienced difficulties accessing virtual summer classes due to the compromised systems.
Amidst these challenges, concerns regarding information security measures surfaced during a recent town hall meeting, prompting discussion among parents and district officials about the severity of the situation and the need for greater transparency. An anonymous parent raised specific apprehensions regarding the district’s capability to safeguard sensitive information.
A former FBI security expert indicated that the breach was executed through a phishing scam that allowed the hackers access to the district’s systems. Following these events, the district is enhancing its cybersecurity measures and increasing training for staff to prevent future incidents.
As the investigation unfolds, Superintendent Ross reassured the community that, thus far, there is no indication that any of the sensitive data has been misused. The district is collaborating with law enforcement and third-party cybersecurity specialists to further investigate the breach.
Comparitech noted that over two dozen educational organizations in the U.S. have been victims of ransomware attacks this year, highlighting that this incident is part of a broader trend affecting schools nationwide.
In summary, while the Lexington-Richland School District Five is undertaking steps to manage the fallout from this data breach, the impact on operations and the seriousness of data security in the education sector are now in sharper focus.
Frequently Asked Questions
What information was compromised in the Lexington-Richland School District breach?
The breach compromised the names, birthdates, Social Security numbers, state-issued ID details, and financial account information of 31,475 individuals.
Who was responsible for the data breach?
The Interlock ransomware gang was identified as the party behind the data breach.
What measures is the school district taking in response to the breach?
The district is offering one year of complimentary credit monitoring and identity theft insurance to affected individuals and is enhancing cybersecurity measures and training for its staff.
Are there ongoing investigations related to the breach?
Yes, the district is cooperating with law enforcement and third-party experts to investigate the breach further.
What disruptions were caused by the breach?
The breach caused delays in retention bonus payments for employees and difficulties for students and teachers accessing educational systems.
Key Features of the Data Breach
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Date of Breach | June 3, 2025 |
| Number of Individuals Affected | 31,475 |
| Data Compromised | Names, birthdates, Social Security numbers, state-issued ID details, financial account information |
| Ransomware Group | Interlock |
| Measures Taken | Complimentary credit monitoring, identity theft insurance, enhanced cybersecurity measures |
| Investigation Status | Ongoing collaboration with law enforcement and cybersecurity experts |
| Impact on Operations | Delays in employee payments, access issues for teachers and students |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Lexington-Richland School District Refuses Ransom Payment After Cyberattack
Defamation Lawsuit Expanded Against Lexington-Richland 5 School Board Members
Lexington-Richland School District Faces Security Breach
Jenny Garris Appointed Executive Director of IT at Lexington 1
Lexington-Richland School District Investigates Cyberattack
Data Security Incident Causes Internet Outages in Lexington-Richland School District
Data Security Incident Delays Bonus Payments in Lexington-Richland School District Five
Columbia, South Carolina Faces Cybersecurity Concerns
Additional Resources
- WIS TV: Lexington-Richland Five School District Suffers Security Breach
- SC World: Over 31K Hit by South Carolina School District Hack
- GovTech: Cyber Incident Delays Teacher Pay at South Carolina District
- Lexington Chronicle: Lexington-Richland 5 Reports Breach, Ongoing Investigation
- WLTX: Lexington-Richland 5 Superintendent Says District Was Victim of Cyber Attack
- Wikipedia: Cybersecurity Incidents in Education
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