Ransomware Attack on Pueblo County School District 70

Incident Date:

May 16, 2024

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Overview

Title

Ransomware Attack on Pueblo County School District 70

Victim

Pueblo County School District 70

Attacker

Lockbit3

Location

Pueblo, USA

Colorado, USA

First Reported

May 16, 2024

Ransomware Attack on Pueblo County School District 70

Victim Overview

Pueblo County School District 70, located in the USA, is a school district that provides education to students and their parents or guardians. It operates multiple schools, including high schools, middle schools, elementary schools, charter schools, and preschools.

Company Size and Standout

The size of Pueblo County School District 70 is not explicitly mentioned, but it operates multiple schools and has a significant number of employees. D70 stands out in the education sector by emphasizing creating a safe and trusting environment for lifelong learning, valuing diversity, and fostering partnerships with schools and communities to address educational needs.

Attack Overview

The cybercrime group LockBit 3.0 targeted Pueblo County School District 70 by employing ransomware to compromise their website. The attack resulted in data encryption, file modification, desktop wallpaper changes, and the dropping of a ransom note on the victim's desktop.

Ransomware Group Details

LockBit 3.0, also known as LockBit Black, is an advanced ransomware variant that emerged in 2022. It encrypts files, is heavily obfuscated, and has features like lateral movement through networks and self-covering tracks. The group operates under a Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) model, targeting a wide range of organizations globally.

Company Vulnerabilities

Pueblo County School District 70's vulnerabilities in being targeted by threat actors include potential gaps in cybersecurity defenses, lack of robust data protection measures, and susceptibility to social engineering tactics. The district's focus on education and community partnerships may also make it a target for cybercriminals seeking to exploit sensitive information.

Sources:

Recent Ransomware Attacks

The Recent Ransomware Attacks (RRA) site acts as a watchtower, providing you with near real-time ransomware tracking of attacks, groups and their victims. Given threat actors’ overarching, lucrative success so far, ransomware attacks have become the most ubiquitous, and financially and informationally impactful cyber threat to businesses and organizations today.

The site’s data is generated based on hosting choices of real-world threat actors, and a handful of other trackers. While sanitization efforts have been taken, we cannot guarantee 100% accuracy of the data. Attack updates will be made as source data is reported by reputable sources. By viewing, accessing, or using RRA you acknowledge you are doing so at your own risk.