University of California targeted in cyber attack

The University of California said Wednesday that it was subject to a cyber attack that has compromised the personal information of some individuals in the university community.

According to the ten-campus university system, the cyber attack “involves the use of Accellion, a vendor used by many organizations for secure file transfer, in which an unauthorized individual appears to have copied and transferred UC files by exploiting a vulnerability in Accellion’s file transfer service.”

Other universities, government agencies and companies were also attacked, according to UC.

Those who were behind the attack posted screenshots of personal information of the affected individuals, UC said. UC did not say which individuals have been impacted but added in a statement that they would “notify members of the UC community if we believe their data was leaked in this manner.”

UC also said it has contacted federal law enforcement and has launched its own investigation.

“UC’s investigation includes a review of the files we believe may have been copied and transferred as part of this attack. Upon completion of our review, we should be able to better assess the data and individuals impacted. Once we can identify affected individuals, we will notify them and provide information regarding additional next steps,” the university said.

-Michael Burke