The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) has launched an inquiry into an ongoing network disruption affecting Rutherford County Schools (RCS) in Murfreesboro, which began on November 25, 2023.
RCS publicly disclosed the incident on November 27, with Superintendent Jimmy Sullivan addressing growing concerns about potential data breaches. While Sullivan stated that no unauthorized access to personal information has been detected so far, reports have emerged linking the BlackSuit ransomware group to the attack.
As part of the response measures, the school district has requested students to return their school-issued devices for potential security updates. The district has implemented temporary security solutions to maintain operations while its systems remain offline.
This incident adds to a pattern of cyber threats targeting Tennessee educational institutions. In July 2023, Southwest Tennessee Community College faced a similar attack that impacted its network infrastructure and delayed academic activities.
The involvement of state investigators underscores the growing challenges educational institutions face in protecting their digital infrastructure. As the investigation continues, the timeline for fully restoring RCS network services remains unclear.
While the district works with authorities to resolve the situation, officials are focused on both securing the network and maintaining educational services through alternative methods.