PowerSchool data breach affecting Smithtown Schools, Nassau BOCES
On Friday, Massapequa School District confirmed it was affected by the PowerSchool breach.
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A data breach involving an online portal that contains student information is affecting two more Long Island school systems – Smithtown Central School District and Nassau BOCES.
On Friday, Massapequa School District confirmed it was affected by the PowerSchool breach.
PowerSchool is a program used by students, parents and districts for grades and attendance. A spokesperson for PowerSchool says personal data, like Social Security numbers and medical information, may have been stolen in December. They're working to identify whose data may have been affected.
"I’m concerned. It's one thing if your information gets hacked. It's another when you got to worry about your kids, they're not even 18 yet,” said Colleen Brennan, of Massapequa Park. "Don't know what the ramifications will be, but I’m worried about it.”
A security expert News 12 spoke with says it's possible a hacker could open a credit card using someone's date of birth and Social Security number, but not until that person is 18. So, parents should be on the lookout.
"Since their credit history is pretty clear right now, it may not be noticeable if some bad actor uses that information and starts applying for credit. They might not be aware of it,” said Adam Schwam, CEO of Sandwire.
Schwam says parents that have an online account with PowerSchool should change their passwords. Michael Cohen, the former superintendent of Brentwood Union Free School District, agrees.
"We want to make it as difficult as possible for folks to breach our information,” said Cohen.
PowerSchool is used by multiple Long Island schools. News 12 is waiting to hear back from more administrators to see who else was affected.
