Key Takeaways
- The San Diego Community College District (SDCCD) network remains offline due to a cyberattack, with full restoration expected Friday afternoon.
- Chancellor Greg Smith confirmed no district data has been breached, praising the IT team for preventing compromise.
- While core instructional platforms like Canvas are unaffected, many on‑campus services (food, library computers, counseling, health center) are limited or closed.
- Students can still register for summer/fall classes via the mySDCCD portal, and financial aid, grades, and payments remain accessible online.
- Instructure, owner of Canvas, reported a separate breach affecting names, emails, and student IDs but no passwords or financial data; SDCCD says it was not directly impacted.
- Campus officials are adapting with work‑arounds (USB drives, in‑person appointments, vending machines) while continuing to support students remotely and in person.
Overview of the Cyberattack and Network Shutdown
A ransomware‑style cyberattack that began over the weekend forced the San Diego Community College District to shut down its entire computer network. As of Tuesday evening, the district announced that the network would stay offline through Wednesday and Thursday, with full service not expected until Friday afternoon. Chancellor Greg Smith emphasized that the decision to remain offline is a necessity to protect district systems, not merely a precaution, and thanked the IT staff for their continuous effort since the attack commenced.
Chancellor Greg Smith’s Latest Update
In a district‑wide email sent at 6:14 p.m., Smith reiterated that IT professionals and vendors have been working nonstop but that the network must stay down to ensure a complete eradication of threats. He acknowledged the widespread impact on instruction, counseling, libraries, and administrative offices, while also noting that food services are being arranged for students remaining on campus. Smith’s message aimed to balance transparency with reassurance that the district is prioritizing security over convenience.
Assurances on Data Security
Both Smith and Instructure officials stressed that no personally identifiable information—such as passwords, Social Security numbers, birth dates, or financial data—has been compromised. Smith cited the district’s security systems as having successfully blocked data exfiltration, and he publicly thanked six IT team members for their dedication. Instructure’s chief information security officer echoed this, stating that while some user‑identifying data (names, emails, student IDs) were accessed, no sensitive credentials or financial records were taken.
Impact on Campus Services and Facilities
The network outage has crippled many technology‑dependent services. Computer labs, printing stations, and any service requiring internet access are unavailable. The campus cafeteria and Knights Espresso remain gated off, pushing students toward vending machines or off‑campus eateries. The Basic Needs Center, which hosts CalFresh enrollment and pantry services, postponed its scheduled event and closed its doors until the network is restored.
Library Adaptations and Workarounds
Despite the shutdown, the City College library stays open during regular hours (7:30 a.m.–7:00 p.m.) and continues to offer book checkouts and reference help. Librarians have shifted to work‑arounds such as providing USB jump drives for students to save research and directing them to the San Diego Public Library Central Branch for internet and printing needs. The Film Platform database remains offline, but librarians are available to suggest alternative access methods.
Tutoring Centers and Academic Support
Math and English tutoring centers remain operational, though all computers are turned off and Zoom appointments canceled due to lack of internet. Tutors assist students with paper‑based work, concept explanations, and problem‑solving using physical materials. The centers reported steady mid‑day traffic, showing that in‑person academic support continues despite the digital hindrance.
Counseling and Student Health Services
Counseling Services are limited to in‑person appointments and walk‑ins; online scheduling and remote sessions are unavailable because the student portal is down. Staff confirmed that counselors are present but cannot access student records electronically. Similarly, the Student Health Center closed its office for a second day, directing students to TimelyCare for mental and physical health consultations via app or website.
Food Services and Basic Needs
The campus cafeteria and Knights Market remain dark, leaving students to rely on vending machines or nearby off‑campus options for meals. The Basic Needs Center, which usually provides groceries, hygiene products, and enrollment assistance, posted signs indicating closure and rescheduling of events such as the CalFresh enrollment party. Staff expressed disappointment but noted they are coordinating alternative distribution methods once systems return.
Administrative and Operational Adjustments
Offices such as the mailroom and digital print production continue limited operations, relying on offline processes and closing earlier than usual (4:30 p.m. instead of 7 p.m.). Supervisors acknowledged their dependence on internet for tracking and communication but stressed they are still supporting faculty and staff with essential mailing and copying tasks. The district’s registration portal (mySDCCD) stays online, allowing students to enroll, view financial aid, pay fees, and check grades without interruption.
Response from Instructure and Broader Context
Instructure, the parent company of Canvas, disclosed a separate breach affecting names, email addresses, and student IDs but confirmed that no passwords, government identifiers, or financial information were accessed. The company attributed the incident to the hacking group ShinyHunters. SDCCD leadership, including Chancellor Smith, stated that the district was not directly impacted by the Instructure breach and that no local action is required beyond the ongoing network recovery efforts.
College Council Meeting and Leadership Comments
At Tuesday’s College Council meeting, President Ricky Shabazz praised the IT team’s response, labeling the attack a “major effort” to infiltrate district data. He noted that attackers had embedded mechanisms designed to reactivate once users logged back in, which occurred on Monday when services attempted to resume. Shabazz announced that the administration has engaged national cybersecurity leaders to verify that all user data remains secure and affirmed that campus offices will stay open to provide in‑person assistance for those unable to access virtual resources.
Student and Faculty Experiences
Reporters observed a range of adaptations: a drama professor substituted a projector with a whiteboard; an audio production instructor ended class early when lab computers could not log on; some students used personal laptops and hotspots to continue work. Library staff helped students conduct research without database access, while tutors and counselors offered face‑to‑face support. The prevailing sentiment among the campus community is frustration tempered by appreciation for the swift, transparent communication from district officials and the resilience shown by faculty and staff.
Conclusion and Outlook
The cyberattack has forced SDCCD into a temporary, district‑wide technology shutdown, disrupting many services while preserving core administrative functions like class registration and financial aid. Officials continue to monitor the situation, anticipate full network restoration by Friday afternoon, and maintain open lines of communication with students, faculty, and the public. As the district works to eradicate the threat, the campus community is demonstrating flexibility—relying on analog methods, in‑person support, and external resources—to keep education and essential services moving forward.
