Belhaven University Resumes Online Classes After Cyberattack Disrupts Systems
Belhaven University, a Mississippi-based institution, restored online classes on March 19 following a cyberattack that forced the suspension of key systems earlier in the month. The university first detected the incident on March 6 and promptly took affected networks offline, enlisting cybersecurity experts to assist with the investigation and recovery.
While details about the attack remain limited, students reported disruptions to the university’s Canvas platform, which hosts course materials and assignments. University officials stated they had no evidence of compromised personal data but acknowledged the investigation was ongoing. Neither the responsible party nor any ransom demands have been disclosed.
The incident marks the second major cyberattack on a Mississippi campus this year. In February, the University of Mississippi Medical Center suffered a ransomware attack that disrupted operations for nearly two weeks. No connection between the two incidents has been confirmed.
Belhaven’s campus, which was on spring break from March 9–15, gradually restored services, with in-person classes resuming earlier in the week. By March 18, most student-facing systems were operational, though some administrative functions remained offline pending full recovery. The university expects all systems to be fully restored by the end of the week.
Source: https://www.mississippifreepress.org/belhaven-resuming-online-classes-after-cyberattack/
Belhaven University cybersecurity rating report: https://www.rankiteo.com/company/belhaven-university
"id": "BEL1773887993",
"linkid": "belhaven-university",
"type": "Cyber Attack",
"date": "3/2026",
"severity": "60",
"impact": "2",
"explanation": "Attack limited on finance or reputation"{'affected_entities': [{'customers_affected': 'Students',
'industry': 'Education',
'location': 'Mississippi, USA',
'name': 'Belhaven University',
'type': 'Educational Institution'}],
'data_breach': {'personally_identifiable_information': 'No evidence of '
'compromise'},
'date_detected': '2024-03-06',
'date_resolved': '2024-03-19',
'description': 'Belhaven University, a Mississippi-based institution, '
'restored online classes on March 19 following a cyberattack '
'that forced the suspension of key systems earlier in the '
'month. The university first detected the incident on March 6 '
'and promptly took affected networks offline, enlisting '
'cybersecurity experts to assist with the investigation and '
'recovery. Students reported disruptions to the university’s '
'Canvas platform, which hosts course materials and '
'assignments. University officials stated they had no evidence '
'of compromised personal data but acknowledged the '
'investigation was ongoing. Neither the responsible party nor '
'any ransom demands have been disclosed.',
'impact': {'data_compromised': 'No evidence of compromised personal data',
'downtime': 'Online classes suspended from March 6 to March 19',
'operational_impact': 'Disruption to course materials and '
'assignments, suspension of online classes',
'systems_affected': ['Canvas platform',
'key networks',
'administrative functions']},
'investigation_status': 'Ongoing',
'references': [{'source': 'Cyber Incident Description'}],
'response': {'containment_measures': 'Affected networks taken offline',
'incident_response_plan_activated': 'Yes',
'recovery_measures': 'Gradual restoration of services, full '
'recovery expected by end of the week',
'third_party_assistance': 'Cybersecurity experts enlisted'},
'title': 'Belhaven University Cyberattack Disrupts Systems',
'type': 'Cyberattack'}