News Update:
BC3 update on ransomware attack
December 8, 2021
Butler County Community College’s information technology division experienced widespread technical difficulties on Nov. 24. BC3’s IT staff discovered that certain devices connected to the college’s network had been encrypted by a ransomware program.
The college initiated its response plan.
BC3 isolated devices and shut off certain systems to contain the ransomware attack. The college then contacted a third-party forensic firm. BC3 continues to utilize and install enhanced security tools on devices across its network.
The third-party forensic firm is currently assisting the college with its investigation. BC3 also notified the FBI about the incident and is cooperating with its investigation.
Because normal communication platforms such as its email, website and phone system were impacted, the college used available platforms such as emergency texts, social media posts, updates on news.bc3.edu and robo calls to provide notifications and updates.
The college’s focus has been and continues to be on restoring all services needed by BC3 students.
BC3 resumed the last week of fall semester credit classes in remote or online formats on Monday.
Final examinations for the college’s fall semester start Dec. 13 and conclude Dec. 18. Final examinations will be held in the course’s previously scheduled format.
The college’s Winter Session now begins Dec. 20 and ends Jan. 25.
Because of the ongoing investigations, the college cannot provide further information about the ransomware attack.
Announcement:
Students, Faculty & Staff: If you are having trouble logging into the MyBC3 Portal, please contact the BC3 Technology Help Desk at 724-287-8711, ext. 8441.
Previous News:
BC3 to resume classes, reopen locations Dec. 6
November 30, 2021
(Butler, PA) Butler County Community College will resume fall semester credit and noncredit classes and reopen its main campus and additional locations Dec. 6 following a ransomware attack.
The college’s final week of fall semester credit classes will be held Dec. 6-11 in remote or online formats. BC3 moved its finals week to Dec. 13-18. Final examinations will be held in the course’s previously scheduled format.
Noninstructional staffing on BC3’s main campus and at its additional locations will resume Dec. 6.
BC3’s information technology staff continue to work extensively to restore databases, hard drives, servers and other devices affected by the ransomware attack thought to have originated Nov. 19.
BC3 on Monday announced on its news.bc3.edu website that it would work with students to adjust assignments and deadlines as necessary for their courses, and that students would not be penalized for delays caused by the situation. The college on Monday sent a text-message alert and created social media posts notifying members of the BC3 community to visit news.bc3.edu.
The college Oct. 3 changed all in-person credit courses to a remote format Nov. 29 through Dec. 4, previously scheduled as the final week of fall semester classes, as a mitigation measure with regard to COVID-19.
BC3 cancels all classes, to close for 2 days
November 28, 2021
(Butler, PA) Butler County Community College has canceled remote and online credit classes and will close its main campus and additional locations Nov. 29 and Nov. 30 as it restores databases, hard drives, servers and other devices affected by a ransomware attack.
The college has also canceled noncredit courses and will not provide services Nov. 29 and Nov. 30 on its main campus or at its additional locations.
BC3’s information technology division noticed widespread technical difficulties Nov. 24.
After investigating, the attack was thought to have originated Nov. 19. On that date, BC3’s information technology division notified the college community that it needed to perform critical maintenance on several college servers.
A regional cybersecurity firm is assisting the college in its ongoing restoration of information.
BC3 information technology staff have “worked extensively over the holiday break to address the issue,” said James Hrabosky, BC3’s vice president for administration and finance.
BC3’s Thanksgiving break was Nov. 24 to Nov. 28.
In-person fall credit courses had previously been scheduled to be held in a remote format this week.
The college Oct. 3 changed all in-person credit courses to a remote format Nov. 29 through Dec. 4, the final week of fall semester classes, as a mitigation measure with regard to COVID-19.
BC3 alerts sent Nov. 24, Nov. 27 and Nov. 28 notified members of the BC3 community about the technical difficulties. The college also notified members of the BC3 community on its social media accounts.
Text Alerts:
BC3 Alert
Sunday, December 5 at 1:45 p.m.
All BC3 locations will reopen Monday, Dec. 6. The last week of credit classes will be Dec. 6-11 in remote/online formats.
BC3 Alert
Tuesday, November 30 at 5:16 p.m.
Ongoing IT Situation
All BC3 locations will remain closed this week & will reopen Dec. 6.
BC3 Alert
Monday, November 29 at 5:09 p.m.
Academic Update
Students & Faculty: We understand that the ongoing IT situation is deeply frustrating. The College will work with students to adjust assignments and deadlines as necessary for their courses. Students will not be penalized for delays caused by this ongoing situation. Further information will be posted on news.bc3.edu as it becomes available.
BC3 Alert
Sunday, November 28 at 8:35 p.m.
Due to ongoing IT issues, all BC3 locations are closed & all online/remote classes & services cancelled on Nov 29 and Nov 30.
BC3 Alert
Saturday, November 27 at 2:47 p.m.
BC3 is continuing to experience technical difficulties system-wide. An update will follow before Monday.
BC3 Alert
Wednesday, November 24 at 1:00 p.m.
During today’s IT scheduled maintenance, issues were found. Outages to BC3 technologies impacted. Updates to follow.
This is an ongoing situation. Further information will be posted here as it becomes available.
