WSU network connectivity disruption

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.

ITS Communication Coordinator, Jacqueline Southwick 5-1192, jsouthwick@wsu.edu

The Notices and Announcements section is provided as a service to the WSU community for sharing events such as lectures, trainings, and other highly transactional types of information related to the university experience. Information provided and opinions expressed may not reflect the understanding or opinion of WSU. Accuracy of the information presented is the responsibility of those who submitted it. The self-uploaded posts are reviewed for compliance with state statutes and ethics guidelines but are not edited for spelling, grammar, or clarity.