All Canvas features and services have been fully restored.
Stay alert for phishing attempts or suspicious messages referencing Canvas, including emails or Canvas messages from unfamiliar users soliciting money or asking you to click links. Report any suspicious messages or account activity to ITS through Zendesk (students) or the ITS Help Desk (employees).
The District’s ITS team has completed the steps necessary to safely re-enable Canvas access and has implemented additional security measures consistent with the State Chancellor’s Office recommendations. While all students and employees have access, some features may be restricted or limited as ITS works to restore full functionality throughout the day.
The State Chancellor’s Office has reviewed information provided directly by Instructure and determined that Canvas does not pose an ongoing technical risk to campus platforms or student information systems.
What you should do
What happened
The May 7 extortion message posted within Canvas was an escalation of an earlier incident. The threat actor exploited a vulnerability in “Free-for-Teacher” accounts to inject the message. That vulnerability has been identified and remediated by Instructure, and those accounts have been shut down. The attacker did not gain access to core Canvas functionality, and there were no changes to user data, grades, or assignment information.
However, some user data is believed to have been exfiltrated in the earlier incident and may be misused over time. Please remain cautious.
Where to find updates
After all features have been fully restored, a final update will be posted to alerts.smccd.edu. For statewide information on the Canvas incident, visit the CCC Security Center.
We expect to restore access to Canvas at some point today and will send a communication as soon as it is available. Even if Canvas appears to come back online, students and employees should not attempt to log in until you receive a District message confirming it is safe to do so. Thank you all for your patience and understanding as we manage this incident.
Current status
While Canvas access is beginning to be restored at some institutions, SMCCCD is following the guidance of the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office and the CCC Security Center to temporarily restrict access to Canvas until further notice.
The State Chancellor’s Office has indicated it cannot provide assurances about the platform until it has received documented confirmation from Instructure that the cyber-threat has been resolved. SMCCCD will follow that guidance and communicate clearly before general access is restored later today.
What you should do
If you have attempted to sign into Canvas within the last 48 hours, please reset your password through OneLogin. Here is a link to how to reset/change your OneLogin password.
For students
Please watch for communication from the District through your school e-mail address (@my.smccd.edu) and text message.
For faculty and staff
Our intent is to maintain continuity of instruction and support services. The District CAT continues to actively monitor this incident and will provide updates as new information becomes available.
Future updates
Updates will be posted on alerts.smccd.edu and another districtwide update will be sent when access is restored.
What happened
Recently, a ransom message appeared within Canvas demanding that Instructure contact the threat actors or risk the release of data by May 12, 2026. This incident is not targeting any individual college. This is a targeted attack on a vendor. As a result, Canvas remains unavailable until further notice.
What’s being done
SMCCCD Chancellor Moreno has formed a Crisis Action Team (CAT), which includes District administration, the College Presidents, and District Academic Senate President Todd Windisch. This CAT is to provide clear, prompt communication and identify the next steps in supporting students, faculty, and staff. The State Chancellor’s Office is working directly with Instructure toward resolution.
What you should do now
If you have attempted to sign into Canvas within the last 24 hours, please reset your password through OneLogin. Here is a link to how to reset/change your OneLogin password. Do not attempt to log into Canvas on any platform until further notice.
For students
Canvas, including course materials, assignments, and gradebooks, are not available at this time. Please watch for communication from your college and your professors through your school e-mail address (@my.smccd.edu). The Colleges and the District have encouraged staff and faculty to be flexible and communicate with their students to minimize disruption. We understand many programs are in the final weeks of the spring semester.
For faculty and staff
Our intent is to maintain continuity of instruction and support services. The District CAT continues to actively monitor this incident.
Future updates
Updates will be posted on alerts.smccd.edu and another districtwide update will be sent by noon tomorrow.
Canvas is experiencing a nationwide outage and is currently unavailable. We will provide more information shortly. This outage is affecting all customers across Instructure. If your class is online, you will not be able to access Canvas until further notice.
As a precaution, if you have signed into Canvas within the last 24 hours, please reset your password through OneLogin. DO NOT attempt to log in to Canvas on any platform until further notice.
——— There are no further current alerts or notices. ——–
Wind and rain impacts are anticipated from Wednesday morning through early Thursday morning. Confidence in these impacts has increased, and flood watches and wind headlines are now in effect for the area. The likelihood of reaching flood stage at mainstem rivers across the North Bay has increased.
10/27/23
The Cañada campus is closed for the remainder of Friday October 27, 2023 (today) for in-person classes and business operations due to power outage and should open tomorrow by normal opening time. The campus community should evacuate campus immediately in a calm and safe manner.
Essential employees (Facilities, Public Safety, ITS) are to report to work. Employees and students, work remotely/online during regularly scheduled hours, if possible.
The air quality in and around the three colleges of the San Mateo County Community College District (SMCCCD) remains in the Unhealthy to Sensitive Groups range (100-151). This air quality is acceptable. However, there may be a risk for some people, particularly those who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. The District will continue evaluating the AQI and weather patterns, and will update the community as needed. The following information is from the American Lung Association: https://www.lung.org/blog/poor-air-quality-protection
High risk groups include children under 18, the elderly, people with chronic heart or lung disease, pregnant people, and people with diabetes. Adults who are active outdoors, including outdoor workers and avid exercisers, can be considered at higher risk as well because of prolonged exposure. All these groups are most likely to be the first to experience the effects of ozone and particle pollution, so they need to take extra steps to protect themselves from harm.
Air pollution can threaten anyone’s health, so stay up to date on the AQI in your area. AQI forecasts and real-time information can be found on EPA’s AirNow Website. AQI values at or below 100 are generally thought of as satisfactory but be aware of how you feel and take steps to help protect yourself whenever needed.
On days when the air quality is orange, red, purple or maroon:
Here are some simple, effective tips for protecting you and your family from the dangers of outdoor air pollution:
Please be advised that Cañada College, College of San Mateo, Skyline College, and the District Office will resume normal operations on Thursday, September 21, 2023, at 5am.
San Mateo County has seen the Air Quality Index (AQI) level drop below 151 (unhealthy) for a sustained period. Air quality will continue to be monitored and any updates will be communicated.
N95 respirators are available at campus public safety offices, health centers, and bookstores.
