Richmond's Chromebook Workaround as Qilin Claims Burnaby Breach

Richmond Public Schools has routed around its ransomware-disabled network, deploying Chromebooks to every teacher so they can reach district platforms via a secure alternative network, five days after an attack knocked out internet, phone and email at all 53 schools. Wednesday becomes a student-free workday, and free credit monitoring is being offered to staff, students and families.

The Qilin ransomware group has claimed credit for last month's data theft at Burnaby School District in British Columbia, according to Ransomware.live, which also says Qilin claimed the Richmond Public Schools outage. Burnaby had said stolen files may include students' and parents' contact details, birthdates and bus routing information.

New reporting shows artificial intelligence looming large in Maryland's school board elections, where more than 135 candidates are running for 24 boards that must implement the state's Artificial Intelligence Ready Schools Act, with a Local News Network survey finding many candidates hesitant about the technology.

Stories & links:

1. "Richmond Schools Build Chromebook Workaround After Ransomware Attack" — https://www.wric.com/news/local-news/richmond/rps-chromebooks-secure-network/

2. "Qilin Claims Credit for Burnaby School District Breach" — https://www.ransomware.live/id/QnVybmFieSBTY2hvb2xzIC0gU2Nob29sIERpc3RyaWN0IDQxQHFpbGlu

3. "Maryland School Board Candidates Weigh In On AI" — https://marylandmatters.org/2026/10/26/school-board-candidates-view-ai-with-trepidation

4. "Brazil Election Shock Sinks Education Stocks" — https://www.cnbc.com/2026/10/26/brazil-stocks-neoclouds-selloff.html

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