Munster Technological University closed Cork campuses after ransomware attack

Munster Technological University announced on the evening of 6 February 2023 that it had suffered a significant IT breach, accompanied by a telephone outage, across its Cork operations.

The university closed four Cork campuses, Bishopstown, the Crawford College of Art and Design, the Cork School of Music and the National Maritime College of Ireland at Ringaskiddy, and cancelled all full time and part time classes on 7 and 8 February. Its Kerry campuses in Tralee continued to operate. MTU serves more than 18,000 students across six campuses. Learning systems including the Canvas platform used for assignments were affected, and staff and students were told to watch email and the university website for updates. Vice president Paul Gallagher said the closure was a precaution to allow the university to assess the situation and protect its systems.

In a statement late on 8 February MTU confirmed the incident was a ransomware attack, saying criminals had encrypted certain systems in order to demand a ransom. It extended the Cork closure to 13 February and said the nature and extent of the incident, including what data may have been accessed, remained under investigation. The university did not name the attackers or disclose a ransom figure.

MTU engaged external specialists and coordinated with Ireland's National Cyber Security Centre, the Data Protection Commission and An Garda Siochana. A phased return to teaching and learning was planned from 13 February.