R3 Education Inc. Breach Exposes Sensitive Data

On November 7, 2023, R3 Education Inc. detected unusual activity on its network, indicating a cybersecurity incident. The company swiftly disconnected all network access and initiated an investigation to ascertain the scope and impact of the breach. It was discovered that an unauthorized party had gained access to the company's computer systems and had encrypted information stored on these systems. Despite extensive investigations, it could not be definitively ruled out that this unauthorized party also accessed sensitive information stored on the systems.

The types of consumer information exposed include:

• Name
• Address
• Social Security Number
• Driver’s License number
• Government-issued ID number (e.g., passport, state ID card)
• Financial Information (e.g., account number, credit or debit card number)
• Medical Information
• Date of Birth

R3 Education's Response

Following the discovery of the breach, R3 Education Inc. engaged a specialized cybersecurity firm to conduct a thorough forensic investigation to understand the nature and scope of the incident. The company has since made significant changes to network access protocols, updated administrative credentials, and restored operations in a secure mode to mitigate the risk of future incidents. Additionally, R3 Education Inc. has offered 12 months of complimentary credit monitoring and identity theft restoration services through Cyberscout, a TransUnion company, to all impacted individuals.

Steps to Take if You Are Affected

If you believe your information may have been compromised in this breach, it is crucial to remain vigilant by monitoring your financial accounts and credit reports for any unauthorized activity. Here are some recommended actions:

1. Enroll in Credit Monitoring: Take advantage of the free credit monitoring service offered by R3 Education Inc. to get alerts about any changes in your credit report.
2. Place Fraud Alerts: Contact one of the major credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion, Equifax) to request a fraud alert on your credit report, which will require creditors to take extra steps to verify your identity before opening new accounts in your name.
3. Consider a Credit Freeze: This prevents creditors from accessing your credit report entirely, which can stop new accounts from being opened in your name.
4. Review Account Statements and Credit Reports: Regularly review your financial statements and obtain your credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com to check for discrepancies.
5. Report Suspicious Activity: If you detect any suspicious activity, report it immediately to your financial institution and consider filing a report with the Federal Trade Commission.

About R3 Education Inc.

R3 Education Inc. is an education management company based in Devens, Massachusetts. It operates as the parent company for three universities located in the Caribbean, focusing on providing high-quality education and training in the medical field.

For more detailed information about the breach and to view the official notices, please visit the disclosure pages on the Maine Attorney General's website, the Texas Attorney General's website, the Massachusetts Attorney General's website, and the California Attorney General's website.