A university has warned that personal data may have been affected in a cybersecurity incident.
The incident, which has reportedly affected around 175m users globally, has affected the use of Canvas, an online learning platform widely used by educational institutions.
The University of Sunderland has confirmed that names, email addresses, student numbers, and messages sent through the platform may have been exposed.
A spokesman for the University of Sunderland said: "The University is aware of a cybersecurity incident affecting the Canvas virtual learning environment, identified by its supplier, Instructure, on 1 May 2026.
"The University is now working to investigate and manage the situation, and additional security measures have been put in place as a precaution.
"Systems remain safe to use, and we will continue to keep our student community updated as further information becomes available."
Read more:
- Quicksand warning issued at popular beach after serious hazard reported
- Radio 1’s Big Weekend - All traffic and travel advice you need to know to get there
- Green light for seafront hotel expansion plans despite local noise fears
No passwords, dates of birth, government identifiers, or financial details are believed to be included in the breach.
The university said that its single sign-on system ensured account security for most users, though a small number of users did have passwords changed as a precaution.
Emails have been sent to students and staff to inform them of the incident and recommend extra vigilance regarding suspicious emails or communications.
Share