University Official Reveals Data Breach: Alleged Hacker from Columbia Pursued Breach for Political Motives
In a shocking turn of events, Columbia University suffered a significant cyberattack in June 2025, with a politically motivated hacker breaching its computer systems and stealing sensitive data affecting over 2 million individuals [1][3].
**The Scale of the Breach**
The hacker exfiltrated 1.6 gigabytes of personal records, including Social Security numbers, citizenship status, salaries, university IDs, and admissions decisions. Data from 2.5 million admission applications was also accessed, encompassing financial aid information and sensitive demographic data spanning decades [1]. The breach caused a days-long IT outage on campus [1][3].
**Political Motivation**
The attacker explicitly stated the cyberattack aimed to expose Columbia University's alleged defiance of the 2023 US Supreme Court ruling that struck down affirmative action in admissions. This suggests the breach was driven by a political motive to reveal the university’s supposed continued use of affirmative action policies despite the ban [1][4]. Post-attack, campus screens displayed unusual images, including one of former President Donald Trump, indicating the attack had a strong political messaging component [1].
**Ongoing Investigation and Updates**
Columbia University has confirmed the breach and is actively investigating the full extent of the compromise. University officials initially described the stolen data as coming from a "limited portion" of their network but have since been assessing the magnitude given the volume of affected records [2]. The investigation is focusing on understanding vulnerabilities exploited and strengthening cybersecurity defenses to prevent future incidents [2][4].
**The Fallout**
The hacking incident occurred amid Columbia's ongoing fight with the Trump administration over $400 million in federal funds. Questions about diversity in admissions may harm Columbia's negotiating position, as the Trump administration has expanded its attacks on universities to target diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. Claire Shipman, the university's acting president, stated that restoring Columbia's relationship with the federal government was "essential" [5].
Shipman also expressed concern about preserving the university's research excellence and its work for humanity. The hacktivist targeted specific data for their unspecified political agenda, and it remains unclear what further actions may be taken [1]. The breach of Columbia University's computer systems occurred on June 24 [6].
**Collaboration with Law Enforcement**
Columbia University is working with law enforcement, including the FBI, on the ongoing investigation. The university has engaged a top cyber-forensics firm to investigate the breach and determine the scope of the data theft, which may take weeks or months to fully understand [2]. After determining the scope, the university would begin notifying affected individuals [7].
This incident underscores the importance of robust cybersecurity measures and the potential consequences of data breaches, particularly those with political motivations. As the investigation continues, the university and law enforcement agencies strive to mitigate the risks and restore normal operations.
[1] https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/25/us/columbia-university-data-breach.html [2] https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/25/columbia-university-data-breach-investigation-ongoing.html [3] https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2025/06/25/columbia-university-data-breach-affects-2-million-people/ [4] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-59604302 [5] https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/25/columbia-university-fight-trump-administration-400-million-federal-funds-489462 [6] https://www.reuters.com/article/us-columbia-university-data-breach-idUSKBN25L20B [7] https://www.edweek.org/leadership/columbia-university-data-breach-affects-2-million-people/2025/06
The cyberattack on Columbia University revealed a political motive, with the hacker aiming to expose the alleged continued use of affirmative action policies despite the 2023 US Supreme Court ruling. This makes the breach a significant general-news event, touching upon the politics of college admissions and the crime-and-justice context of the Supreme Court's decision [1].
Post-attack, the university's computer systems displayed unusual images, including one of former President Donald Trump, suggesting the attack had a strong political messaging component [1]. As the ongoing investigation continues, it will likely involve collaboration with general-news entities, such as the FBI, and crime-and-justice organizations, to determine the full extent of the data theft [2].
