Resolved
Rutgers-specific Canvas features, such as GradeSync, are now fully operational following the recent global security incident, and this alert is being resolved. If you have any questions, please contact your local Office of Information Technology Help Desk and/or call 833-OIT-HELP.
Update
Instructure, the parent company of Canvas, reports that it has reached an agreement with the unauthorized threat actor involved in the Canvas global security incident. According to Instructure, the data in the incident was returned to the company, and copies were destroyed. Instructure’s investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Canvas at Rutgers remains available, operational, and safe to use. Some tools are still being restored, as we noted in yesterday’s alert update. Additional information will be provided when available.
We recognize this incident has come at a particularly challenging time in the academic year, and we appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to address this issue and provide the technology needed by faculty and students. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Office of Information Technology Help Desk by calling 833-OIT-HELP and choosing option 7.
Update
The Office of Information Technology wanted to provide an update on access to Canvas following the global cybersecurity incident. As noted previously, Rutgers has reinstated access to basic Canvas tools and features—a version of Canvas with the essential features. Third-party tools, such as Kaltura and Turnitin, are also available. Canvas includes access to some tools developed at Rutgers that are not currently available, including GradeSync with REGIS and Banner; Photo Rosters, and tools for course creation and user and enrollment updates/provisioning. Rutgers is assessing Canvas and will update this alert when these tools are made available. For instructors seeking assistance with REGIS and final course grades, view this help article about uploading final course grades into REGIS. For GradeSync and Rutgers Health/Banner questions, please contact your school-based registrar for assistance.
Update
As of this evening, Friday, May 8, Canvas is accessible to Rutgers users. OIT will continue to monitor closely as we work to restore our normal operations following the Canvas global outage. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Office of Information Technology Help Desk by calling 833-OIT-HELP and choosing option 7.
Update
Rutgers will reinstate access to basic Canvas tools and features at approximately 9 p.m. tonight following consultations with experts and a consortium of other universities affected by the global Canvas outage. We will continue to monitor Canvas closely as we work to restore our normal operations.
Update
Canvas access remains suspended at Rutgers while OIT assesses the safety and stability of the system following the global outage. Users currently logged into Canvas should close their browsers and clear their cache. Additional details about exams and final coursework will continue to come from your campus.
Update
We are actively monitoring the global system outage impacting Canvas. Each campus will share communications with students, faculty, and staff providing campus-specific information regarding exams and coursework.
Update
Rutgers is evaluating next steps due to the interruption of Canvas during the exam period. The university understands that student exams, project submissions, and other efforts may have been interrupted due to this incident. Thousands of institutions are dealing with this incident as well. Additional information will be provided to students, faculty, and staff as it becomes available.
Update
The Office of Information Technology is aware of an unauthorized message posted to Canvas related to the nationwide data breach at Instructure. Canvas may have limited or no availability for certain users. The Office of Information Technology is investigating and will post updates as they become available.
Update
Instructure, the parent company of Canvas, has notified Rutgers that the university was impacted by a widespread data breach affecting thousands of institutions.
Instructure informed the Office of Information Technology that there is no indication that passwords, dates of birth, government identifiers, or financial information were involved in this incident. It is unclear what Rutgers data was involved, and Instructure’s investigation is ongoing.
Canvas is fully operational, and Canvas users do not need to take any action in connection with this incident at this time. Instructure has informed Rutgers and other impacted universities that it has taken steps to secure the platform, including remediating the underlying vulnerability. Additionally, Instructure has engaged a third-party forensics firm for an investigation and notified law enforcement authorities.
The university is actively working with Instructure to learn more about the impact of the incident and will provide updates when additional information is available.
Investigating
The Office of Information Technology is aware of a nationwide security incident involving Canvas, the university’s learning management system. We are actively monitoring updates from Instructure and assessing any impact to university services.
This is a vendor-driven, nationwide event affecting multiple institutions.
At present, Rutgers has not been notified of any direct impact to our campus. Canvas remains available and operational to Rutgers faculty, staff, and students.
Updates from Instructure, the parent company of Canvas, are available on their status page. OIT will continue to monitor the situation and will provide updates as new information emerges.