NOTRE DAME was hit by a cyber-attack last week, just two weeks out from the start of the West End university’s first semester. 

According to Notre Dame students and teachers, access to emails and timetabling was denied, despite university-wide use of two-factor authentication to gain access. 

The university’s Wi-Fi systems also appear to have been affected. 

University representatives refused to confirm whether students’ data had been stolen as part of the attack. 

“We are taking this incident seriously and working as a priority to ensure the security of our systems,” the spokesperson said. 

“We have reported the incident to the Australian Cyber Security Centre and relevant government agencies and are working closely with them as part of our response. 

“As this is an ongoing investigation, we cannot comment further on the incident.” 

The Herald contacted the Australian Cyber Security Centre, who also refused to comment on the situation. 

In an email to students, university representatives requested students change their passwords for their student portal. 

Notre Dame student Grace, who did not want to be fully named, says the issues caused by the cyber-attack had been “stressful” given the semester is starting so soon. 

“I couldn’t access my student email, which I had used for job applications, for over a week,” Grace said. 

“I also couldn’t access my timetable, which I needed to give to my current job so I could organise work commitments around study. 

“I feel like I’ve had less time to prepare for the semester due to the uncertainty of everything.” 

The lack of information about a potential data breach is “extremely worrying”, according to Grace, who confirmed the university had not disclosed whether students’ information had been taken. 

“It was really hard for everyone involved,” Grace said. 

“I can’t imagine how new students, or even staff and IT, were feeling.” 

As of publication, access to emails and timetabling have been restored.

by KATHERINE KRAAYVANGER