Social media firms have helped MTU stop publication of cyberattack material, court told

The judge was told that 6GB of data taken from MTU's IT system had been made available for publication by the hackers, believed to be based in Russia

Investigations by experts revealed that the attackers claim to have accessed many files including those concerning MTU’s employee records, payments and benefits, gender pay gap reporting, student assistance funds, scholarships, pension details, HR staff files, and staff contract reviews. File picture: Larry Cummins

Major social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook owners Meta have been assisting Munster Technological University in its efforts to prevent confidential information about its staff and students from being widely published on the internet, the High Court has heard.

Mr Justice Brian O'Moore was informed of the co-operation of the social media companies when he agreed to extend an injunction obtained by MTU shortly after last month’s cyberattack on the college, that prevents the hackers, or anybody else who has knowledge of the order from selling, making available to other parties, or publishing the college's data.