BU Cyberattack Updates

Stay Up To Date

Bluefield University knows how important it is to be informed during a cyber attack event. This page will be updated as information is presented to the community.

Campus Communications

May 16, 2023 @ 12:21 PM

Now in the third week following the cybersecurity attack, the University has resumed all critical system operations and is incrementally expanding access across campus. Due to persistent issues in the Outlook environment, a number of student and alumni email accounts have been suspended. We apologize for the inconvenience this has caused, and we are working to reactivate these accounts as soon as we can.

There also have been several images containing personal information of employees and students posted on social media and internet sites over the past two weeks. The University has provided written communication to these individuals notifying them that their personal information may have been exposed due to the cyber incident, along with providing them credit monitoring and other precautionary measures they can take to protect their personal information.

These precautionary measures are best practices and are available to anyone who may wish to protect themselves from financial fraud or identity theft.

1) Placing a Security Freeze on Your Credit File.
If you are very concerned about becoming a victim of fraud or identity theft, you may request a “security freeze” be placed on your credit file, at no charge. A security freeze prohibits, with certain specific exceptions, the consumer reporting agencies from releasing your credit report or any information from it without your express authorization. You may place a security freeze on your credit report by contacting all three nationwide credit reporting companies at the numbers below and following the stated directions or by sending a request in writing, by mail, to all three credit reporting companies:

Equifax Security Freeze
P.O. Box 105788
Atlanta, GA 30348
https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze/
(800) 349-9960
(888) 298-0045

Experian Security Freeze
P.O. Box 9554
Allen, TX 75013
http://experian.com/freeze
(888) 397-3742

TransUnion Security Freeze
P.O. Box 160
Woodlyn, PA 19094
https://www.transunion.com/credit-freeze
(888) 909-8872

2) Obtaining a Free Credit Report.
Under federal law, you are entitled to one free credit report every 12 months from each of the above three major nationwide credit reporting companies. Call 1-877-322-8228 or request your free credit reports online at www.annualcreditreport.com. Once you receive your credit reports, review them for discrepancies. Identify any accounts you did not open or inquiries from creditors that you did not authorize. Verify all information is correct. If you have questions or notice incorrect information, contact the credit reporting company.

3) Additional Helpful Resources.
Even if you do not find any suspicious activity on your initial credit reports, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recommends that you check your credit reports periodically. Checking your credit report periodically can help you spot problems and address them quickly. If you find suspicious activity on your credit reports or have reason to believe your information is being misused, call your local law enforcement agency and file a police report. Be sure to obtain a copy of the police report, as many creditors will want the information it contains to absolve you of the fraudulent debts. You may also file a complaint with the FTC by contacting them on the web at www.ftc.gov/idtheft, by phone at 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338), or by mail at Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Response Center, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20580. Your complaint will be added to the FTC’s Identity Theft Data Clearinghouse, where it will be accessible to law enforcement for their investigations. In addition, you may obtain information from the FTC about fraud alerts and security freezes.

If you have other specific questions, please contact the University at 276-212-2970.

We appreciate your continued prayer support and patience.

May 11, 2023 @ 11:53 AM / Twitter Response

As you know, on Sunday, April 30, 2023, we discovered a cybersecurity attack that impacted our systems. Since that time, we have taken steps to secure our internal systems and environment. However, we are aware that the unauthorized actor accessed the @BluefieldRams on Twitter. We are working to have this access removed. Further, our investigation into the nature and extent of the incident is ongoing, and we will provide notifications to individuals impacted, as appropriate.

If you have specific questions, please contact us at 276-212-2970.

We appreciate the continued support and patience from the community.

May 1, 2023 @ 2:02 PM / RAMAlert Response

As you know, on April 30, 2023, Bluefield University discovered a cybersecurity attack that impacted our systems. Upon learning of this issue, we immediately engaged the provider and independent third-party cybersecurity experts to assist in our review and remediation efforts, but it may be a few days before full functionality can be restored. We are working through the investigation to determine the nature and extent of the incident. However, as of now, we have no evidence indicating any information involved has been used for financial fraud or identity theft.

Further, we discovered earlier today that the incident impacted our mass alert system, RAMAlert. As such if you are contacted by anyone claiming to be involved in the incident, please don’t click on any links provided by the individual or respond.

April 30, 2023 @ 12:49 PM / Attack Discovery & Impacted Systems

As you know, on Sunday, April 30, 2023, Bluefield University discovered a cybersecurity attack that impacted our systems. Upon learning of this issue, we immediately engaged independent third-party cybersecurity experts to assist in our review and remediation efforts, but it may be a few days before full functionality can be restored. We are working through the investigation to determine the nature and extent of the incident. However, as of now, we have no evidence indicating any information involved has been used for financial fraud or identity theft.

Further, if you are contacted by anyone claiming to be involved in the incident, please don’t click on any links provided by the individual or respond.

Additionally, final examinations will begin tomorrow. Specifically:

  • Monday exams will be held on Tuesday, May 2, 2023
  • Tuesday exams will be held on Wednesday, May 3, 2023
  • Wednesday exams will be held on Thursday, May 4, 2023

Faculty and students can safely use and access MyBU, Canvas, and library resources through the universities website. Faculty need to continue not using Jenzabar and their bluefield.edu email address.

We do not have any additional information to share at this time, but we will keep you apprised of relevant developments as we learn more.

If you have questions related to this incident, please contact us at 276-212-2970.

Do I only apply once?

  • No. Students must apply each academic year for the fall semester and submit the necessary documents.

Do I have to take the classes specified in the Associate's Degree tracks as they are listed on the information sheet?

  • No. Students may take any of the courses that are offered in a given term.

Where do I find the textbook listing, and where do I purchase the books?

  • Log in to myBU, and under the "Student" tab, you will find a list of the textbooks required (if any) for each course. Students are responsible for purchasing their own textbooks.

How long is a semester?

  • Our semesters are divided into two 8-week terms.

Is there an orientation?

  • Yes. Students can attend an orientation session that explains how to access courses, how to register for classes, and answers other questions.

Where can I find a course description?

Does the student need to take the SAT or ACT in order to take Dual Enrollment classes?

  • No. If a student decides to study at BU full time, BU is currently test-optional for the 2021-2022 admissions cycle.

Are the classes live? Do students need to log in and participate at certain times?

  • Classes are offered online, so a student can log-on and study at their convenience and their own pace. Students have assignments due each week; you can complete your assignments at any point in time before the deadline.

Does an Early College student need to come to campus for anything?

  • No. However, we would love to have you visit our campus if you are interested in continuing with traditional on-campus study. Students who complete their associate's degree have the option to walk at our commencement ceremony.

Are Early College students able to receive Financial Aid?

  • No. However, Early College courses are very affordable compared to other options. The cost for an online Dual Enrollment course is $100 per credit hour.

How do transferring credits work?

  • Each College or University completes a transcript review in order to decide which courses transfer. Sticking to general education classes generally makes transferring credits simple. All Early College courses at Bluefield University are general education classes that should transfer to another accredited institution.

Is an Early College student considered, and treated, as a transfer student when they become a full-time college student if they have earned enough credits to be a Junior?

  • No. Since they have not graduated from high school, they are considered a first-time college student regardless of how many credits transfer. However, by transferring credits when they enroll as a full-time student, they will have to take fewer classes to receive their bachelor's degree, which shortens the length of time to earn the degree.

Can I speak to someone if I have more questions?

  • Yes. Please contact the Office of Admissions by email or you can call them at 276.326.4231

 

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