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# Cybersecurity incident disrupts Richmond Public Schools' internet, phone services
- URL: https://www.richmonder.org/cybersecurity-incident-disrupts-richmond-public-schools-internet-phone-services/
- Published: 2026-10-21T19:44:29.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-21T19:47:52.000Z
- Description: Teachers and staff have been told not to connect any devices to RPS networks.
- Author: Victoria A. Ifatusin
- Tags: #lead, Education

A cybersecurity incident has disrupted several of Richmond Public Schools’ operational systems, said Superintendent Jason Kamras in a statement Wednesday afternoon. 

“We have temporarily taken internet access offline, which is limiting phone and email services, as well as access to online classroom tools and learning platforms,” he wrote. The safety of students or staff has not been affected, he added. 

While classes remain in session, students and staff have been told not to connect any devices to RPS networks until further notice. 

“We understand that these disruptions create challenges for our entire school community. Our priorities are supporting our students and staff, understanding what happened, and restoring affected systems securely,” he said.

In an image shared with The Richmonder, a notice saying “Critical Alert: Data Breach and Encryption Notice Your Organization Is in Danger” appears on an employee’s screen. 

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/2026/10/00A24699-84AB-4D65-BE61-1085B98FF59Bremotec05db160404d53cb8834191153f4e194869b991c-1-original.jpg)

Sofia Barbieri, an English teacher at Henderson Middle School and a board member for the Richmond Education Association, told The Richmonder the disruption “presents multiple inconveniences to staff and students and also is a huge safety issue.”

“If something were to happen to a child, like an allergic reaction or injury of any sort, we would be unable to contact the parents because we don’t have access to our databases,” she continued. 

Security cameras and landlines in the building do not work either, she said. 

The division has tapped outside cybersecurity experts and law enforcement to understand the full scope of the incident and will share additional updates once more information is available, Kamras said. 

Hanover County Public Schools also experienced a cybersecurity breach earlier this year in March. An investigation by the division later found that a “[malicious actor gained access to HCPS network data](https://www.hcps.us/events/what%5Fs%5Fnew/data%5Fincident%5Finformation%5F-%5Fmay%5F2026) and attempted to deploy ransomware to encrypt portions of the network.” 

*Contact Reporter Victoria A. Ifatusin at* [*vifatusin@richmonder.org*](mailto:vifatusin@richmonder.org)