1. United States
2. Md.
3. Letter

Fund Federal and State Cybersecurity to Prevent Breaches Like Canvas Attack The Canvas data breach affecting millions of students at the University of Illinois, Illinois State University, and institutions nationwide shows exactly what happens when we gut federal cybersecurity capacity. Hackers have exposed names, email addresses, messages, and student IDs from thousands of schools, demanding ransom by May 12. Canvas remains offline during final exams, leaving students unable to access assignments, schedules, or course materials. This attack succeeded because the current administration fired experienced cybersecurity professionals and redirected resources to ICE and other priorities while placing unqualified appointees in critical national security positions. Cybersecurity experts warn this sector-wide breach will fuel phishing attacks and fraud targeting students for years. The hackers will likely sell this data to criminals rather than use it directly. We need you to push for immediate restoration of federal cybersecurity funding and staffing. The Department of Homeland Security's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency needs resources and qualified leadership, not budget cuts. In addition, Maryland could be the first of its kind to create a state run top notch cyber security program to do the job the Federal government can no longer do. Students and educators deserve protection from attacks that compromise their data and disrupt their education.