THUNDER BAY — If the administration at Lakehead University knows the motives behind the recent cyber attack on its computer network, it's keeping the information strictly confidential for now.
All on-campus computers were shut down as a precaution about three weeks ago after the university's information technology services team detected unusual activity on the network.
LU has described the incident as a "threat."
The shutdown left students and faculty without access to key online instructional and communications services for several days.
The university engaged cyber security experts to work with its own staff and police on an investigation, which is ongoing.
But Lakehead officials won't disclose the precise nature of the attack, whether they were contacted by the perpetrator, or if the attacker demanded a ransom.
Neither have they revealed how far any infiltration may have extended, and whether they believe any of the university's data may have been breached.
A spokesperson told TBNewswatch the university will provide regular updates as it learns more and until the matter is resolved, "and will have more to say about the cause of this incident once the investigation is complete."
Thunder Bay Police are not participating, but it's believed the RCMP National Cybercrime Coordination Centre is involved in the investigation.
An RCMP spokesperson said its policy is to neither confirm nor deny the existence of a probe until it results in the laying of charges.
The university has not yet calculated the financial cost of the attack, which includes the time that outside experts and staff of its Technology Services Centre have spent on the restoration of services. A spokesperson said work went on "around the clock" in the days following the cyber attack.
Revenue was also lost in the cafeteria, Starbucks, and both the Thunder Bay and Orillia campus bookstores.
There's been another cost, one that's harder to measure but which affects every student.
Lakehead University Student Union president Sukhraj Singh Grewal says the fact the attack occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic added "a lot of stress" at a time when tension is already high.
It also happened during reading week, when students were supposed to be catching up on work.
The university ended up extending reading week by four days, and has made other accommodations for students as well.
Grewal said the university administration has been "really understanding in working alongside LUSU to support the student body," but nonetheless there's been a significant impact.
"We are shifting the academic calendar again...The first extension was in the winter break. After the fall semester, everybody had to take a great toll because everything was shifted online. Now, halfway through the second semester, students weren't able to access any of the Lakehead University sources. That goes for any exam prep, any assignment prep. We were basically stranded."
Grewal said that, weeks later, the stresses remain.
"Until we know what was specifically targeted, and until we learn who was behind it or why this attack happened, there's a lot of concern. There's a lot of personal information, not just students but also of staff members and previous staff members."
He added "We're just waiting for administration to provide us with more clearcut information...They've only informed us they're working with provincial and federal police."
Lakehead University has stated that the objectives of the current investigation include determining how threats to its computer network might be prevented in the future.
