List of Ransomware Attacks Against Schools in 2021
| Tracking # |
48915 |
| Submitted | July 31, 2021 |
MuckRock users can file, duplicate, track, and share public records requests like this one. Learn more.
Communications
From: Allan Liska
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act, I hereby request the following records:
A list of all schools or school districts in Texas 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.
The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.
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
From: Texas Education Agency
Public Information Request
Receipt Acknowledgement
August 2, 2021
Allen Liska
MuckRock News
TEA PIR #48915
Dear Mr. Allen Liska:
Thank you for contacting the Texas Education Agency. I want to acknowledge receipt of your request. Your request number is PIR # 48915.
Our Public Information Request Coordinators are processing your request in coordination with the area(s) that may have the responsive information/data. A response to your request should be provided on or before 10 business days: August 16, 2021. Should you not receive a response within this timeline, please do not hesitate to contact our office and ask to speak to one of our Coordinators.
If you have any questions or wish to discuss this matter further, please contact me at (512) 463-3464 or by email at PIR@tea.texas.gov<file:///C:/Users/fzuma/AppData/Local/Temp/PIR@tea.texas.gov>.
Sincerely,
[Logo Description automatically generated]
Sherry Mansell
Public Information Coordinator
Office of General Counsel
[cid:image002.png@01D78773.AE7D3930]
512-463-3464
[cid:image003.png@01D78773.AE7D3930]
pir@tea.texas.gov<mailto:pir@tea.texas.gov>
[Icon Description automatically generated]
www.tea.texas.gov<http://www.tea.texas.gov>
Sherry Mansell
Public Information Coordinator
Enclosure: Original Request
From: Texas Education Agency
The request has been rejected, with the agency stating that the information or document(s) requested are exempt from disclosure.
From: Texas Education Agency
Public Information Request
Request for Attorney General Decision
August 13, 2021
Allen Liska
MuckRock News
TEA PIR #48915
Dear Mr. Allen Liska:
On August 2, 2021, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) received your request for public information. TEA has information responsive to your request. Your original request is enclosed.
TEA believes that the information responsive to your request is excepted from disclosure under the Texas Public Information Act. As a result, we wish to withhold this information and have requested a ruling from the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) about whether the information is within an exception to public disclosure. A copy of our request for ruling to the OAG is attached. The Attorney General will issue the decision within 45 business days and their office will provide you a copy of the decision once issued. Upon receipt, the Texas Education Agency will follow the decision of the Attorney General.
If you have any questions or wish to discuss this matter further, please contact me at (512) 463-3464 or by email at PIR@tea.texas.gov<mailto:PIR@tea.texas.gov>.
Sincerely,
[Logo Description automatically generated]
Sherry Mansell
Public Information Coordinator
Office of General Counsel
[cid:image002.png@01D79048.078B1740]
512-463-3464
[cid:image003.png@01D79048.078B1740]
pir@tea.texas.gov<mailto:pir@tea.texas.gov>
[Icon Description automatically generated]
www.tea.texas.gov<http://www.tea.texas.gov>
Sherry Mansell
Public Information Coordinator
Enclosures:
Original Request
Copy of OAG Ruling Request w/out Attachments
From: Texas Education Agency
A fix is required to perfect the request.
From: Texas Education Agency
Public Information Request
Office of Attorney General Decision
September 16, 2021
Allen Liska
MuckRock News
TEA PIR #48915
Dear Mr. Allen Liska:
On August 2, 2021, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) received your request for all list of school districts reporting ransomware attacks. Because TEA wished to withhold certain information it believed to be confidential or excepted from disclosure to you under the Texas Public Information Act (Act), TEA requested a decision from the Texas Attorney General. A copy of the request for decision was emailed to you on August 13, 2021.
Although TEA has previously disclosed a list of reporting school districts, it became apparent that such disclosure may hinder a school district's response to an ongoing cyber attack or other cybersecurity incident and/or make the reporting school districts more vulnerable to future attacks.
On September 7, 2021, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) received the decision of the Texas Attorney General regarding the public information requests for ransomware or cybersecurity incident reports from Texas Public Schools. The Office of the Attorney General concluded that the information submitted must be withheld under section 552.139 of the Government Code. Attached is a copy of the decision OR2021-24078.
This request TEA PIR# 49815 is considered closed.
If you have any questions or wish to discuss this matter further, please contact me at (512) 463-3464 or by email at PIR@tea.texas.gov<mailto:PIR@tea.texas.gov>.
Sincerely,
[Logo Description automatically generated]
Sherry Mansell
Public Information Coordinator
Office of General Counsel
[cid:image002.png@01D7AAE8.33462A90]
512-463-3464
[cid:image003.png@01D7AAE8.33462A90]
pir@tea.texas.gov<mailto:pir@tea.texas.gov>
[Icon Description automatically generated]
www.tea.texas.gov<https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tea.texas.gov%2F&data=04%7C01%7CFrank.Ward%40tea.texas.gov%7Cca2aa3b771a54f6efa1808d9791a5f4a%7C65d6b3c3723648189613248dbd713a6f%7C0%7C0%7C637673976439920793%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=VgSoza8gHSdrZZi1CnZS4QvbRE2GnVUeXzKv4Fnv%2FKM%3D&reserved=0>
Sherry Mansell
Public Information Coordinator
Enclosure:
Original Request
OAG Decision OR2021-24078
Files
pages
-
-
-
-
-
08/02/2021
Texas Public Information Act Request: List of Ransomware Attacks Against Schools in 2021
-
-
-
-
-
08/13/2021
Texas Public Information Act Request: List of Ransomware Attacks Against Schools in 2021
-
-
-
-
-
09/16/2021
Texas Public Information Act Request: List of Ransomware Attacks Against Schools in 2021