Following a ransomware cyber security attack that began Dec. 6. the Glendale Unified School District reported on Thursday that full system access has been restored to employees, including internet services, GUSD networks and cloud-based systems.
The district said it hopes to have online access restored to students after winter break.
In response to the cyber security attack, which crippled schoolwork across the district, the Board of Education passed an emergency resolution on Dec. 12 to declare emergency conditions at GUSD schools and offices. This authorizes the superintendent to take necessary actions related to the execution of certain contracts — without Board approval and for any dollar amount necessary — to respond effectively to the attack.
From the start of the attack, which lasted about two weeks, students and GUSD staff did not have access to email and were asked to refrain from using GUSD computers or Chromebooks, and to not access any GUSD accounts or online resources from a district or personal device.
On Dec. 15, the district announced that access had been restored for GUSD Google accounts, which include Gmail, Google Drive and Google Classroom, GUSD Chromebooks, ParentSquare, StudentSquare and Clever. However, at that time, GUSD network resources and internet were still not yet accessible, meaning online access via GUSD employee laptops and desktop computers, GUSD internet services and Q Student Information System were out of service until Thursday.
The district has been collaborating with the FBI and Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, as noted in the Board’s emergency resolution, to resolve this issue.
At its Dec. 12 meeting, the Board also approved a contract naming Kyle Bruich the new assistant superintendent of human resources and the director of classified personnel, the position previously held by Superintendent Darneika Watson.
Bruich’s contract began on Dec. 13 and extends through Dec. 31, 2026, with a base salary of $203,622. He has been with GUSD for more than a decade as an assistant principal, middle school principal and executive director of human resources. He previously worked in the Fontana Unified School District. Bruich received his master’s in education from National University and doctorate in education from the University of Southern California.
First published in the December 23 print issue of the Glendale News-Press.
