Cyber Incident Updates / Overview

Henry County Schools Cyber Incident Updates

July 16, 2024: HCS Interim Superintendent Dr. Carl Knowlton presented the final report on the cyber incident detected during the week of November 6, 2023, at the July 15 study session of the Henry County Board of Education. His update included a comprehensive briefing after the HCBOE Emergency Resolution and declaration expired on July 11, along with a documented Final Academic and Operational Continuity Briefing.

Final Academic and Operational Continuity Briefing – Jul. 15, 2024

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January 9, 2024: Henry County Schools Superintendent Mary Elizabeth Davis reports at the Jan. 8 study session of the Henry County Board of Education on the current status of the cyber incident first detected the week of Nov. 6, 2023. Her update includes information on progress toward identifying the source, scope, and impact, if any, and securely reconstructing and restoring the HCS network and network services to HCS users. A summary of adjusted processes to maintain academic and operational continuity, expenditures related to response, and communications is posted on the district website.

Academic and Operational Continuity Briefing – Feb. 9, 2024

Academic and Operational Continuity Briefing – Jan. 5, 2024

December 14, 2023: Henry County Schools Superintendent Mary Elizabeth Davis provides another video message following an extensive update that was reported at the Dec. 11 meeting of the Henry County Board of Education, where a documented Academic and Operational Continuity Briefing was also shared.

Academic and Operational Continuity Briefing – Dec. 15, 2023

December 11, 2023: Henry County Schools Superintendent Mary Elizabeth Davis reports at the Dec. 11 study session of the Henry County Board of Education on the current status of the cyber incident first detected the week of Nov. 6, 2023. Her update includes information on progress toward identifying the source, scope, and impact, if any, and securely reconstructing and restoring the HCS network and network services to HCS users. A summary of adjusted processes to maintain academic and operational continuity, expenditures related to response, and communications is posted on the district website.

Academic and Operational Continuity Briefing – Dec. 8, 2023

December 7, 2023: Henry County Schools Superintendent Mary Elizabeth Davis provides another update on the district’s cyber incident response. Teachers, staff, and students now have targeted access to the resources most necessary for teaching, learning, and business operations. To stay informed, visit our homepage at www.henry.k12.ga.us for a link to our Cyber Incident Updates webpage and a comprehensive list of best practices.

November 30, 2023: Henry County Schools Superintendent Mary Elizabeth Davis provides another update on the cyber incident that has caused restricted network access and internet outage across the district, as well as the progress of our technology team and cybersecurity partners to deeply investigate and securely redevelop our network and restore services.

November 26, 2023: Henry County Schools Superintendent Mary Elizabeth Davis provides an update on the HCS network service disruption and the work of our technology team and cybersecurity partners over the week of Thanksgiving to deeply investigate the suspicious activity that was detected on our network and to securely redevelop our network and restore services.

November 16, 2023: Henry County Schools Superintendent Mary Elizabeth Davis provides another update on the extended HCS network outage and the ongoing investigation into suspicious activity that has resulted in restricted access to the network and no internet connectivity across the district.

November 14, 2023: Henry County Schools Superintendent Mary Elizabeth Davis provides an update on the suspicious activity that has resulted in restricted access to the HCS network and no internet connectivity across the district since last Thursday, Nov. 9.

November 10, 2023: We are pleased to report we had a successful day of school operations and learning at each of our 52 school campuses despite the disruptions to internet services. Thank you for your understanding as we adjust our daily routines to ensure continuous learning for students.

As we communicated yesterday, Henry County Schools was alerted to suspicious activity on our network and immediately began working with our cybersecurity partners and federal, state, and local authorities to investigate. Out of an abundance of caution, we restricted access to the HCS network.

At this time, we have been advised to continue restriction to the HCS network to allow for ongoing investigation and monitoring. While the disruption has been inconvenient, it has not interfered with the successful operations of school and learning. Weekend activities will continue as scheduled, and we look forward to welcoming students and staff to school on Monday.

We will continue to keep you informed as updates become available.

November 9, 2023: As we shared earlier today, Henry County Schools recently was alerted to suspicious activity on our network. The district began working immediately with our cybersecurity partners and federal, state, and local authorities to investigate. Out of an abundance of caution, we've decided to restrict access to the HCS network. We will continue to have limited access to network and internet services until this situation is resolved.

What is the status of school operations?

We have initiated our plan to ensure continued school operations and teaching and learning despite disruptions to network services. Each school has a plan to execute important processes including checking in and checking out students, taking attendance, and reviewing parent permissions.

Will schools operate tomorrow?

Yes. We will continue with our plan to ensure continued school operations and teaching and learning tomorrow. We are working with our partners to improve connectivity until network access can be restored. Vital services such as telephones, intercom, fire alarm, and buzzer entrance/access control remain operational.

What does it mean that access to the HCS network is restricted?

The biggest impact of restricting access to the HCS network is no internet connectivity.

Can students and staff continue to use HCS issued devices off the HCS network?

Yes. Students and staff may continue to use HCS issued devices and access the internet via other service providers.

When will our systems be back up and running?

We will restore our network to operational status as soon as possible, but until the full scope of the suspicious activity is known, we will continue with restricted access to our network and internet.

We would like to thank our students, staff, and families as we work together to ensure the best possible learning environment for our community.

November 9, 2023: We are currently working with federal, state, and local authorities assessing suspicious activity on our network. At this time, we've been advised to restrict access to the HCS network. Teaching and learning and school operations will continue, with the exception of online courses, while we experience some disruption to our internet and phone service. Lunch, dismissal, bus service, and afterschool activity will continue as normal.

Henry County Schools Cyber Incident Updates