UPDATE - Hackers behind the TU Eindhoven cyber attack still unknown, no classes on Tuesday
TU/e Executive Board: “We realize that turning off the network has unpleasant consequences, for all our students, employees, but also for other organizations on campus. This necessary intervention was done to prevent worse.”
Published on January 13, 2025
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Update Cyber attack on Eindhoven University of Technology, Monday 4:30 PM
The Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) has not yet dared to reactivate its digital network after last weekend's cyber attack. This means that no teaching will take place on Tuesday either. Patrick Groothuis, vice president: “We are working systematically to secure the network again and eventually bring it online step by step. The education systems have the highest priority here. We understand that this has a major impact on everyone in our community. We are touched by the resilience of students and staff and all the expressions of support and help offered.”
TU/e is currently working out different education scenarios, given the exam period that starts next week. Non-network research can continue; all labs and facilities are functional according to the university. Ph.D. ceremonies can also go ahead. “We have no indication that data has been stolen, but the investigation is ongoing. Also, there is no contact with the hackers, and it is still unknown who the hackers are.”
Original article Sunday January 12:
The Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) took its entire digital network offline today (Sunday, Jan. 12) due to a cyber attack. As a result, TU/e network-related systems are inaccessible to users, and no teaching activities are possible until Monday. The university keeps everyone informed of developments via this web page.
No details were shared about the nature of the attack. However, the university does say it is seeing an increase in “phishing emails that take advantage of the situation at TU/e. We urge everyone to be extra alert and not to click on links from unknown senders or that ask to log into an environment.”
The university asks staff and students to consider for themselves whether it has added value to come to campus. The buildings and campus will remain accessible. So students and staff can come to campus, but they cannot use network-related amenities, such as email, wifi, Canvas, and Teams.
Patrick Groothuis, executive board vice president: “We realize that turning off the network has unpleasant consequences, for all our students and staff, but also for other parties on campus. This necessary intervention was done to prevent worse. We therefore hope for understanding, and we are doing our utmost to resolve this and have all systems accessible again as soon as possible.”
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The university's ICT experts still have access to the systems. They are investigating the nature and extent of the cyberattack and trying to get the network back up and running as soon as possible. “We are proceeding as carefully as possible in this regard,” said a spokesperson. “As a result, we do not expect the systems to be accessible again until Tuesday at the earliest. On Monday at 4 p.m., we will let you know the situation on Tuesday.”
At TU/e, next week is the last teaching week of quarter two, in which limited teaching is planned, such as catch-up activities and preparation for exams in the following weeks.
The university's ICT staff learned of the attack around 9 p.m. last night. "It had all the characteristics of a cyber attack, given the suspicious activities on our servers.” During the night, the network was therefore taken offline. There is no sign yet that data were stolen; that is still being investigated.