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| No HCS Records Tampered With As Students Breach Computer Network |
Hamilton Central Schools officials Wednesday continued to investigate how
at least 25 students gained access to the secure portion of district's computer
network. No district or student records were accessed as students
apparently used a confidential password to circumvent the network firewall
and access normally inaccessible sites on the Internet.
District Superintendent Diana Bowers said school officials on Monday
became aware that students had gained access to normally off limit parts of
the network. It appears the students had access to the entire network for
several weeks. The problem was immediately corrected.
Bowers said district officials were alerted to the problem by a parent who
shared concerns about information they had come across. She said Secondary
Principal Dana Chapman and Technology Coordinator Dennis Roy
investigated the problem and secured the network. The network remains
offline as the investigation continues.
On Tuesday Chapman met with the faculty to discuss the security breach. He
then addressed secondary school students Wednesday morning during forum
before classes began.
"We have to decide as a school how we react to it," said Bowers, who
praised by Chapman and Roy for their work. "This is a very teachable
moment." She said she is seeking comments from parents and teachers about
what ought to be done.
Bowers said it remains uncertain what, if any, sanctions there could be for
those students who used the restricted password.
The incident brings up two issues Bowers said need to be addressed. The first
is the ethical issue of misusing the computer network. The other, said
Bowers, is that of cybersafety. There was, she said, minimal financial impact
caused by the problem.
Every HCS student -- from pre-kindergarten through high school seniors --
has access to computer technology every school day, said Bowers. It's part of
the learning process. This issue brings to light the need for students to learn
how to use the technology in an ethical way.
"Someone got a hold of something they shouldn't have," said Bowers. "We're
dealing with the disappointment. This is a great teachable moment. Its not a
punitive thing. We want students to learn from it."
Bowers was quick to point out that the incident at Hamilton was far different
from a recent incident in the Fayetteville-Manlius School District. That
district's computer network was breached and records altered. Several
students were facing jail time until the Onondaga County district attorney
reduced the charges.
Posted 2008.4.9
at least 25 students gained access to the secure portion of district's computer
network. No district or student records were accessed as students
apparently used a confidential password to circumvent the network firewall
and access normally inaccessible sites on the Internet.
District Superintendent Diana Bowers said school officials on Monday
became aware that students had gained access to normally off limit parts of
the network. It appears the students had access to the entire network for
several weeks. The problem was immediately corrected.
Bowers said district officials were alerted to the problem by a parent who
shared concerns about information they had come across. She said Secondary
Principal Dana Chapman and Technology Coordinator Dennis Roy
investigated the problem and secured the network. The network remains
offline as the investigation continues.
On Tuesday Chapman met with the faculty to discuss the security breach. He
then addressed secondary school students Wednesday morning during forum
before classes began.
"We have to decide as a school how we react to it," said Bowers, who
praised by Chapman and Roy for their work. "This is a very teachable
moment." She said she is seeking comments from parents and teachers about
what ought to be done.
Bowers said it remains uncertain what, if any, sanctions there could be for
those students who used the restricted password.
The incident brings up two issues Bowers said need to be addressed. The first
is the ethical issue of misusing the computer network. The other, said
Bowers, is that of cybersafety. There was, she said, minimal financial impact
caused by the problem.
Every HCS student -- from pre-kindergarten through high school seniors --
has access to computer technology every school day, said Bowers. It's part of
the learning process. This issue brings to light the need for students to learn
how to use the technology in an ethical way.
"Someone got a hold of something they shouldn't have," said Bowers. "We're
dealing with the disappointment. This is a great teachable moment. Its not a
punitive thing. We want students to learn from it."
Bowers was quick to point out that the incident at Hamilton was far different
from a recent incident in the Fayetteville-Manlius School District. That
district's computer network was breached and records altered. Several
students were facing jail time until the Onondaga County district attorney
reduced the charges.
Posted 2008.4.9