The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) has launched an inquiry into an ongoing network disruption affecting Rutherford County Schools (RCS) in Murfreesboro, which began on November 25, 2023.
RCS publicly disclosed the network issues on November 27, with Superintendent Jimmy Sullivan addressing growing concerns about data security. While Sullivan stated that no unauthorized access to personal information has been detected so far, reports have emerged potentially linking the BlackSuit ransomware group to the incident.
As part of the district's response, students have been asked to return their school-issued devices for possible security updates. The school system has implemented alternative procedures to maintain daily operations while its networks remain offline.
This marks the second major cybersecurity incident targeting Tennessee educational institutions in 2023. Southwest Tennessee Community College faced a similar attack in July, which caused delays in registration and summer classes.
The involvement of state investigators underscores the increasing threat of cyberattacks on educational systems. As the investigation continues, officials have not provided a definitive timeline for when normal network operations will resume.
The school district maintains close communication with cybersecurity experts and state authorities as they work to restore system functionality and enhance network security measures.