Security News > 2006 > June > Academy hackers under investigation

http://www.theoaklandpress.com/stories/060806/loc_2006080604.shtml By DAVE GROVES Of The Oakland Press June 8, 2006 BLOOMFIELD HILLS - The principal of the acclaimed International Academy said he believes the school's image will not be marred by what he describes as serious but immature mistakes made by five students. Bert Okma said he and other academy employees are completing an investigation into the mostly freshmen students' hacking of a school information system and the alteration of several academic grade records. "I think they saw it as a game ... and a chance to improve their academic standing," the principal said. "If they had been willing to dedicate as much time to their studies as they did to this, we wouldn't be dealing with the issue." Administrators have had extensive conversations with the students, who came forward after several teachers recognized disparities between grades in their personal records and those appearing on the school's computer system. An investigation revealed that sometime in November, the students had installed software on the system that provided them with faculty user names and passwords. International Academy's Joint Steering Committee has reviewed the situation and determined that the five students will face disciplinary action ranging from loss of academic credit to expulsion. The extent of the consequences will be determined through hearings conducted with school officials, the students and their parents in coming weeks. Okma said mitigating circumstances will be considered individually at that time. Students also could face criminal charges depending on the investigation fi ndings and desires of school administrators. Lt. Steve Cook of the Bloomfield Township Police Department said that the school has not yet requested police involvement in the matter. "Depending on what their investigation reveals, could there be criminal charges issued? I would say there is that possibility," he said. Cook did not want to speculate on potential charges. Meanwhile, academy staff are undertaking the daunting task of reviewing all test grades recorded for all students this year. This is because the students responsible for the computer security breach are suspected to have changed both their own grades and those of others. Okma said that while teachers are frustrated, disappointed and hurt by the revelation, they remain resolved not to let it mar the overwhelmingly positive view they have of the student body as a whole. Okma believes the same sentiment will prevail outside the school. "The reputation of the International Academy is sound and well-earned, and I don't see this impacting that," he explained. "Everybody understands that young people can make mistakes." And such mistakes on the part of local youth are not unprecedented. Last month, three North Farmington High School students were suspended after obtaining staff passwords to district computers. Officials are working to fi gure out what the students intended to do with the information. The Farmington Hills Police Department is investigating the matter. Chief William Dwyer said felony charges could come next month. "It's still ongoing," he said. "This is an extensive investigation." Farmington school officials were alerted to the theft after a student came forward to report the incident. With the passwords, the students would have had to access the system while at school and not at home. Officials do not know if any of the students accessed the system. No information on the students has been released. _________________________________ Attend the Black Hat Briefings and Training, Las Vegas July 29 - August 3 2,500+ international security experts from 40 nations, 10 tracks, no vendor pitches. www.blackhat.com

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