Social Security numbers swiped in hack at Walker School in Cobb

A recent security breach was reported at the Walker School, a college-prep school for kids 3 and up in Cobb County.

The incident, which occurred on October 21 at the private school, was detected the next day, on October 22. It revealed unauthorized access of personal information, including names, addresses, and Social Security numbers, of over 1,000 individuals.

A disclosure filed on Wednesday by attorney Dominik Cvitanovic, representing the school, revealed that the individuals affected by the breach were identified in early November. The school says it took prompt action by retaining a forensic investigation firm to assess the situation.

Despite finding no evidence of fraudulent misuse of the stolen data, the Walker School is taking proactive measures to mitigate potential risks by offering a year of free credit monitoring to the victims.

Specific details about the affected individuals were not disclosed, but Carl Carlson, the school’s head, provided assurances that neither student nor parent’s financial information was impacted, saying the incident primarily pertained to employment-related situations. 

The Walker School incident adds to a series of recent cyberattacks affecting schools, which is a growing concern. Henry County’s public schools also experienced a recent cyber incident in mid-November after a “cyber incident” involving an unauthorized user was detected.

In these times of heightened cybersecurity threats, it’s crucial for educational institutions to prioritize and invest in robust security measures to protect the sensitive data of students, parents, and employees.