According to Tony Opheim, Sr. Associate Vice President for Information Technology Services, WSU Pullman experienced severe network connectivity disruption on both Oct. 17 and 18. The network service disruptions took place between 1:30 and 4:24 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 17, and from approximately 1:18 until 2:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 18.
Both of these interruptions to WSU system connectivity are believed to have been caused by malicious attacks on WSU’s network and information protection systems resulting in severe degradation of WSU’s ability to send information outbound beyond WSU’s information borders.
ITS network engineers working to resolve all potential risks and disruptions successfully narrowed the issue to Pullman’s firewall. However, it is unknown at this time whether the intended target of the attacks was strictly Pullman, or if Pullman is a byproduct of a larger attack on another institution.
ITS network engineers are currently working to determine the appropriate course of action to neutralize any future attack. More information will be provided as available via ITS social media and website.