Northwest Missouri State University

Northwest Missouri State University reported that ransomware remains the top cybersecurity threat to its technology infrastructure, with phishing identified as the primary attack vector for unauthorized access. While the article does not detail a specific breach or data compromise, the institution’s acknowledgment of ransomware as the No. 1 threat coupled with its proactive warnings to students and employees about phishing risks implies a high-risk environment where sensitive data (e.g., student records, financial information, or employee details) could be targeted. The university’s reliance on digital systems for enrollment, academic operations, and infrastructure (e.g., the $105M energy modernization project) heightens vulnerability. Though no active attack or data leak was confirmed, the emphasis on ransomware preparedness suggests potential for severe operational disruption, financial loss, or reputational damage if exploited. The university’s alignment with Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act compliance further underscores the criticality of protecting financial and personal data from cyber threats.

Source: https://www.nwmissouri.edu/media/news/2024/10/04RegentsRecap.htm

TPRM report: https://www.rankiteo.com/company/nw_careers

"id": "nw_0395303102825",
"linkid": "nw_careers",
"type": "Ransomware",
"date": "10/2025",
"severity": "100",
"impact": "5",
"explanation": "Attack threatening the organization’s existence"

{'affected_entities': [{'industry': 'Higher Education',
                        'location': 'Maryville, Missouri, USA',
                        'name': 'Northwest Missouri State University',
                        'size': '9,152 students (as of Fall 2023)',
                        'type': 'Educational Institution'}],
 'attack_vector': ['Phishing'],
 'customer_advisories': 'General awareness advisories issued to students and '
                        'employees regarding phishing risks.',
 'data_breach': {'personally_identifiable_information': 'Targeted (via '
                                                        'phishing attempts)'},
 'date_publicly_disclosed': '2023-10-05',
 'description': 'During the Board of Regents meeting at Northwest Missouri '
                'State University, Kevin Cagg, Assistant Vice President of '
                'Information Technology, presented the annual cybersecurity '
                'update. The report highlighted ransomware as the top threat '
                "to the university's technology infrastructure, with phishing "
                'identified as the primary attack vector for gaining '
                'unauthorized access. The university emphasized awareness '
                'campaigns to educate students and employees about suspicious '
                'emails targeting personal information collection. The update '
                'was aligned with compliance requirements under the '
                'Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and coincided with Cybersecurity '
                'Awareness Month (October).',
 'impact': {'identity_theft_risk': 'Potential (due to phishing targeting '
                                   'personal information)'},
 'initial_access_broker': {'entry_point': 'Phishing emails'},
 'investigation_status': 'Ongoing threat assessment (no active incident '
                         'reported)',
 'lessons_learned': 'Ransomware and phishing remain critical threats to '
                    'educational institutions. Proactive awareness campaigns '
                    'are essential to mitigate risks associated with social '
                    'engineering attacks.',
 'post_incident_analysis': {'corrective_actions': ['Strengthen email filtering '
                                                   'systems.',
                                                   'Conduct regular '
                                                   'cybersecurity training '
                                                   'sessions.',
                                                   'Monitor for unusual access '
                                                   'patterns.'],
                            'root_causes': 'Phishing vulnerabilities due to '
                                           'human error (e.g., clicking '
                                           'malicious links or sharing '
                                           'credentials).'},
 'recommendations': ['Enhance phishing simulation training for students and '
                     'employees.',
                     'Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) for critical '
                     'systems.',
                     'Regularly update cybersecurity policies in alignment '
                     'with regulatory requirements (e.g., Gramm-Leach-Bliley '
                     'Act).',
                     'Collaborate with third-party cybersecurity firms for '
                     'threat assessments.'],
 'references': [{'date_accessed': '2023-10-05',
                 'source': 'Northwest Missouri State University News',
                 'url': 'https://www.nwmissouri.edu/news/2023/october/regents.htm'}],
 'regulatory_compliance': {'regulatory_notifications': 'Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act '
                                                       'compliance update'},
 'response': {'communication_strategy': 'Public disclosure during Board of '
                                        'Regents meeting; alignment with '
                                        'Cybersecurity Awareness Month',
              'remediation_measures': 'Awareness campaigns (e.g., educating '
                                      'students/employees about phishing '
                                      'emails)'},
 'stakeholder_advisories': 'Board of Regents, faculty, students, and IT staff '
                           'informed during the meeting.',
 'title': 'Northwest Missouri State University Cybersecurity Update and '
          'Ransomware Threat Assessment',
 'type': 'Cybersecurity Threat Assessment / Awareness Update'}