The community college system for metro Phoenix shut down its internet-based computer systems and since has canceled classes until March 29 due to suspicious activity that appeared to the beginning of a possible cyberattack.
The 10-college Maricopa County Community College District announced the cancellations Friday night after having notified staff and students Tuesday that the system was down.
“The initial results from this investigation indicate that the suspicious activity appears related to the early stages of a cyberattack,” the district’s statement released Friday said, adding that it was “working around-the-clock to restore access as quickly as possible.”?
In addition to canceling classes until March 29, the district will extend the spring semester by a week to make up for time lost, the statement said.
“Our colleges will work with all students on a course-by-course basis to make appropriate accommodations and to ensure these technology disruptions do not negatively impact their grade,” it said.
