PowerSchool Cybersecurity Event
The Government of Prince Edward Island is informing students, parents, guardians, teachers, and school administration that some of their personal information may have been part of PowerSchool’s recent North American cybersecurity incident.
What happened?
On January 7, 2025, PowerSchool, a third-party platform used by many education systems including PEI, advised the Government of Prince Edward Island that personal data of past and present Island school members may have been compromised.
Who is impacted?
At this time, the investigation has identified past and present students and teachers on PEI are among the impacted individuals of the PowerSchool cybersecurity incident. As the investigation is ongoing, this list may expand to other members of the school community.
What information may have been compromised?
Personal information that may have been accessed include:
- Name;
- Date of birth;
- Address;
- Phone numbers; and/or;
- Other personal information such as food allergies.
What are the next steps?
The Province is in direct communications with PowerSchool to better understand the scope of the incident and to identify the specific individuals who have been impacted on Prince Edward Island. All identified individuals will receive further information in the coming weeks as it becomes available.
This webpage will be regularly updated with the latest public information.
What kind of protections are available as a result of this incident?
The Province is in ongoing discussions with PowerSchool about credit monitoring and identity protection services for eligible impacted individuals. Eligible individuals will receive information on how to access these services when they become available.
Is this cybersecurity event ongoing?
PowerSchool has advised the Province that they have contained this incident, and that they have implemented enhanced internal controls to secure their system, including deactivating the compromised credentials. PowerSchool has also confirmed that there is no evidence of continued unauthorized activity.
The platform remains operational across the Island school system.
Who has been notified of the PowerSchool cybersecurity event?
The Province issued a news release to advise all residents that PEI is among PowerSchool’s North American security incident.
Education partners that include the school authorities, unions and the PEI Home and School Federation have been notified and will be kept up to date with the latest information as well.
The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC) was informed of this event on January 7, 2025. This office will continue to be kept updated on the provincial response. If you have concerns about the response, you may contact the OIPC by phone 902-368-4099.
Who has been part of the provincial response team?
- The Department of Education and Early Years
- The Department of Finance
- PEI’s Access and Privacy Services Office
- Public Schools Branch
- La Commission scolaire de langue française
- PowerSchool
Who can I contact for more information?
Anyone with questions or concerns regarding this incident can contact the Department of Education and Early Years by email depteey@gov.pe.ca at this time while a dedicated phone number is made available.