700,000 Current and Former Students Affected
What Organization Was Breached?
The Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is the third-largest school district in the U.S., serving over 300,000 students. It provides education services, resources, and support to students, families, and staff across the city of Chicago. CPS manages sensitive data including student records, staff information, and personal data that impacts a large number of individuals in the Chicago area.
When Did the Breach Occur?
- Late 2024: Cleo, a technology vendor used by CPS, became the victim of a cyberattack. Cleo provides file transfer software that is used by the District for Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) with external entities. The server that was compromised stored sensitive data about current and former CPS students.
- February 8, 2025: CPS was notified that student data had been inappropriately accessed during the Cleo cyberattack.
- March 7, 2025: CPS publicly revealed the breach, disclosing that unauthorized individuals had gained access to sensitive student and staff information. The breach affected approximately 700,000 current and former students.
What Was Stolen?
- Students’ Names
- Date of Birth
- Gender
- Chicago Public Schools Student ID Number
- For students enrolled in the federal Medicaid program, their Medicaid ID Number and Dates of Program Eligibility were also exposed.
How Can This Breach Be Used Against You?
Identity Theft and Financial Fraud
The breach exposed sensitive personal information, including names, dates of birth, and Medicaid numbers. Cybercriminals can use this data to steal identities, open fraudulent accounts, access benefits, or even make unauthorized claims under victims’ names. Medicaid IDs and other personally identifiable information are particularly valuable in the black market and could be used for malicious activities like healthcare fraud or social security misuse.
Phishing Scams and Social Engineering
With access to names, dates of birth, and other personal data, attackers could launch highly targeted phishing campaigns. These scams could appear to come from CPS, healthcare providers, or government agencies, asking for additional personal information, such as account credentials or financial details. Such personalized attacks are more likely to deceive individuals, putting them at greater risk of revealing even more sensitive data.
Account Takeover
With the exposure of student IDs and other personal data, cybercriminals could potentially use stolen information to gain unauthorized access to CPS portals, change enrollment details, or even manipulate academic records. This could result in further exploitation, including fraudulent claims or illegal access to government benefits tied to the stolen data.
How OptMsg Will Keep You Safe
In the wake of the CPS breach, it is crucial to protect yourself against phishing scams, identity theft, and financial fraud. OptMsg is committed to helping individuals safeguard their sensitive information through cutting-edge email security measures:
- Opt-In Email Filtering: OptMsg’s advanced filtering system blocks malicious emails and phishing attempts before they reach your inbox, preventing scammers from exploiting your information.
- Encrypted Messaging: OptMsg’s encrypted messaging service ensures your sensitive conversations between OptMsg users remain private, protected from unauthorized access.
- Privacy by Design: We respect your privacy. OptMsg does not sell your data or use it for marketing purposes, ensuring your information remains secure.
Relevant Links:
Stay Informed. Stay Secure.
In today’s digital world, data breaches are becoming increasingly common. With CPS’ recent breach highlighting the vulnerabilities in educational systems, it’s more important than ever to stay vigilant. OptMsg is here to protect you from phishing, identity theft, and the other risks associated with data breaches. If you have concerns about your personal information or need assistance with securing your online communications, contact us today. Stay informed, and stay secure.
