Colorado Private University Campus Systems Down after Ransomware Attack

“Malicious actors” carried out a cyberattack on Regis University in August 2019 — crippling the Denver campus’s IT network and downing phones, email and Wi-Fi — university officials paid the hackers a ransom in hopes of restoring their incapacitated systems. “The attack hit us the morning students were moving back to campus,” said Salvador Aceves, Regis’ senior vice president and chief financial officer. Aceves declined to say how much the university paid the hackers. University officials also have not revealed how much they’ve spent on recovery from the attack, which led them to distribute paper course schedules to students last fall and post signs on campus that read, “Enjoy a break from the connected life.”

Estimated Cost

Ransom paid, undisclosed amount

Threat Source

Impacts

IT