South East Technological University (SETU) has experienced a cybersecurity incident targeting our IT systems.
Friday, 08 November
South East Technological University (SETU) is actively working to address the recent cybersecurity incident and uphold business continuity.
In a staff webinar held on Thursday, SETU President, Professor Veronica Campbell emphasised that the situation “is nobody’s fault, many organisations find themselves facing similar challenges.”
Professor Campbell expressed gratitude for the efforts of staff involved in finding solutions, specifically commending the Computer Services/ IT team for their exceptional work over recent days. Prof. Campbell noted, “I would like to call out the phenomenal work that the IT team have been engaged in over the last number of days. They are doing a huge amount of work and, on behalf of everybody, we appreciate that.”
She also acknowledged the support of multiple departments, including the IT teams across campuses and the reprographics team, whose efforts have been vital in maintaining access to teaching materials.
Professor Campbell recognised the inconvenience of the disruption for staff and students, expressing thanks for the collective approach and collegiality demonstrated by staff. She added, “I want to thank all of our staff for your perseverance as we work through this.”
Vice President for Student Experience, David Denieffe, presented an overview of the incident, detailing the steps being taken and SETU’s key priorities. He explained that after unusual activity was detected, the affected network was promptly isolated, and all internal network traffic was halted to mitigate further risks.
SETU has engaged external cybersecurity experts and is working with relevant authorities. Ongoing analysis has found no evidence of ransomware activation or data exfiltration at this stage. To ensure any potential risks are prevented, internet access remains offline at the Waterford Campuses until further notice. Staff have been advised on interim arrangements during this period.
A Q&A session followed, with questions answered by Dr Derek O’Byrne, Vice President Academic Affairs, Teaching & Learning; Shauna Whyte, Vice President People, Culture & EDI; and Tony Miller, Director of Digital Transformation. Regular updates will be also posted on our website setu.ie.
Tuesday, 05 November
As we continue our efforts to resume normal service, we are reminding everyone to stay alert for any suspicious or unexpected emails.
Just as in normal practice, please don’t share personal information like passwords or usernames, and avoid clicking on links or opening attachments from unknown or unverified sources—even if the message appears to be genuine.
If you haven’t already done so, please reset your password as a precaution. Over the next few days, you may also receive prompts to change it.
A few important updates for our Waterford campuses:
- Work laptops and desktops: Office desktops should not be used on the Waterford Campuses until further notice. However, you can use your work laptop on an external Wi-Fi. It is advisable to use the online version of Microsoft Office to minimise any potential risk.
- Projectors: Laptops may be connected directly to projectors in classrooms.
- Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi is currently unavailable on the Waterford campuses.
- Printing: You can print using a USB drive at the staff printers and photocopiers in Reprographics. If your USB has been used on a university-connected device on or after the 22nd of October 2024 please do not use the USB key.
Please note:
- Microsoft OneDrive and Moodle: OneDrive is fully accessible off campus, and you can safely use Moodle from your home computer.
- Library access: All subscription databases and resources are unavailable. However the library provides an entry point to many open access resources. The library and other buildings on the Waterford campuses are open for group work and study. Students can still borrow and return books and search the catalogue for books. Keep in mind that there is no Wi-Fi or network access, and desktops should not be used. For more information, visit the library website.
As an extra safety measure, it is advisable that your home devices have software protection packages installed e.g. antivirus software. The IT helpdesk continues to operate and will endeavour to answer all queries as soon as possible.
Monday, 04 November
Students have previously been advised the University is actively dealing with a cybersecurity incident that has targeted our IT systems.
Our internal IT team is working closely with external cybersecurity experts and relevant authorities to address the situation and minimise any potential impact.
While investigations are ongoing, we are closely monitoring the situation. There is currently no evidence to suggest that any data or information has been compromised.
Update for students
Following Monday’s class postponement, we can confirm that classes on our Waterford Campuses will resume on Tuesday, 5 November. However, staff and students may still experience some disruptions as we continue our efforts to resume normal services.
Please attend your classes as scheduled unless you are informed otherwise.