South Raleigh News

Attorney General Jeff Jackson has launched an investigation into the recent PowerSchool data breach, which has affected over 62.4 million students and teachers nationwide, including nearly 4 million individuals in North Carolina.

Jackson expressed his personal connection to the issue by stating, “I’m a parent who uses PowerSchool, so I know what millions of North Carolina families are concerned about with this data breach.” He added that he is looking into whether PowerSchool violated any laws and is prepared to take further legal action if needed.

PowerSchool provides software products used by schools across the United States, including all public schools in North Carolina's 100 counties. The breach occurred in December 2024 when a hacker accessed the software, potentially exposing sensitive information such as Social Security numbers, addresses, minors' names, and medical and disciplinary records.

In North Carolina, entities experiencing a data breach must report it to the state's Department of Justice. In 2024 alone, more than 2,258 organizations reported breaches affecting nearly 6.7 million residents—a record number for the state.

To help protect against future breaches, several tips were shared:

- Update antivirus and security software on all devices.

- Avoid opening emails or downloading attachments from unknown senders.

- Use strong passwords and update them regularly.

- Limit access to confidential data.

- Avoid using public Wi-Fi for sensitive transactions.

For those who suspect they have been hacked, it is advised to request a free security freeze and monitor financial accounts closely.

Further information can be found at www.ncdoj.gov/securityfreeze.