Dear Riverwalk Academy Families,
This afternoon, we were informed by PowerSchool and the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) of a national and international cybersecurity breach involving PowerSchool’s PowerSource portal. This breach has affected our district and many others across the United States, resulting in unauthorized access to data within the PowerSchool Student Information System. The SCDE is actively investigating the full scope of the incident.
According to PowerSchool, the breach has been contained. The company has implemented additional security measures, engaged cybersecurity experts, and is working closely with law enforcement to address the situation.
State Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver emphasized the importance of protecting personal data, stating:
“The protection of our South Carolina students’ and educators’ personal data is non-negotiable. We fully recognize the anxiety this raises for them and their families. While PowerSchool has taken accountability for this breach, our department will take uncompromising action to ensure we uncover the complete extent of this incident. We will insist that PowerSchool not only notify affected individuals but also provide them with credit and identity monitoring services.”
We have been informed that within the next 24 hours, additional details will be provided by the SCDE regarding the specific data affected and the extent of the breach. As soon as we receive this information, we will promptly share it with you.
For the state’s full response to this incident, please visit this link.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate this challenging situation. We are committed to keeping you informed and supporting our families through this process.
Sincerely,
Dr. Robert Compton,
Head of School