Osaka Public University Identifies Ransomware Attack That Disabled Core Systems

Overview

• The university said a large-scale system failure that began on Oct. 2 affected its central information infrastructure and has been judged to be a ransomware cyberattack.
• Officials have not disclosed whether attackers made a ransom demand or whether data were taken, and forensic work by outside specialists is ongoing.
• Systems across five campuses in Osaka, Sakai and Izumisano — including networks, email, portals and teaching administration tools — remain largely unavailable.
• The university suspended classes through Oct. 8 with a planned restart on Oct. 9, and it reported that hospital and veterinary websites are down while electronic medical records remain operational and patient care continues.
• University leaders warn admissions, registration and daily operations will face continued delays as investigators work to restore systems, and the outcome will hinge on forensic findings and the pace of external remediation.