Cyberattack on Osaka University Shuts Down 500 Servers

Osaka University has shut down classes across all faculties following a suspected ransomware attack that crippled approximately 500 servers and key campus systems. Officials are probing whether personal data belonging to around 130,000 students, graduates, and employees was exposed during the incident. The disruption began on October 2, with a failure in the university's central network causing the simultaneous shutdown of the servers.

The attack also encrypted crucial backup data, rendering several internal systems unusable for classes and assignment submissions. Email services have also been affected, causing significant inconvenience to the university community. Classes at all faculties remain canceled through October 8, as restoration efforts persist. Students have lost access to numerous digital services integral to their university life.

A third-year engineering student lamented that his smartphone, which typically displays his timetable and class assignments, now displays a communication error message. The university has not disclosed whether the attackers demanded a ransom. Despite the ongoing disruption, the university plans to resume in-person classes as scheduled on October 9.

Three typhoons are currently active in Japan's waters, raising concerns about potential impacts on the upcoming three-day weekend, particularly as Typhoon No. 27 approaches the Ogasawara Islands and two additional storms develop farther east.