A cybersecurity incident involving PowerSchool, a provider of software for K-12 schools, affected customers in Canada, the United States and other regions around the world, including the Northwest Territories.
On January 15, 2025, the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) confirmed unauthorized access to the PowerSchool cloud environment that led to the theft of Board records Beaufort-Delta Divisional School Board, Dehcho Divisional School Board, South Slave Divisional School Board, Yellowknife Catholic Schools and District Education Authority No. 1 in Yellowknife. The data breach did not occur within the GNWT network.
The incident involves data stored in the software, including personally identifiable information such as names, postal addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses of students, parents, guardians and teachers, as well as medical information of students.
PowerSchool’s investigation determined that an unauthorized third party accessed customer data using compromised login credentials. As soon as PowerSchool was informed of the incident, it immediately deployed its cybersecurity response protocols. PowerSchool has implemented enhanced security measures and confirms that the leak has been contained.
The Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) is conducting an analysis and investigation in the NWT. Staff and students at affected schools will be informed directly by their school and will receive updates as new information becomes available.
If you have any questions, please contact the Ministry of Education, Culture and Training at [email protected].
Media representatives should contact:
Briony Grabke
Public Relations and Communications Manager
Education, Culture and Training
Government of the Northwest Territories
[email protected]
867-767-9352, then 71073
Canada
