Harvard Investigates Major Data Breach Following Phishing Scam

Harvard University announced a significant data breach. An unauthorized party accessed alumni and donor databases. The breach occurred after a phone phishing attack targeted the university.

This is the second cybersecurity incident Harvard has faced this year. The compromised data includes personal contact information and donation histories. The university is working with cybersecurity experts and law enforcement.

Scope of the Compromised Information

The breach impacted the university’s fundraising and alumni engagement systems. Information such as personal contact details and donation records was exposed. Data from some students and faculty may also be involved.

According to Reuters, Harvard is a fundraising powerhouse. It typically raises over one billion dollars annually. This makes its donor database a high-value target for cybercriminals.

Ivy League Schools Face Rising Cyber Threats

This incident is part of a worrying trend for elite universities. US colleges have been hacker targets for years. Recently, Ivy League schools have been especially hard-hit.

Princeton University reported a similar database compromise on November 15. The University of Pennsylvania discovered a breach in its alumni systems on October 31. Columbia University also investigated a major hack earlier this year.

The security of our community’s information is our top priority. Harvard is taking immediate steps to address this Harvard data breach and enhance its digital defenses for the future.

Thought you’d like to know

What information was exposed in the Harvard breach?

Personal contact information and donation details were accessed. The data came from Harvard’s fundraising and alumni engagement systems. Some student and faculty data may also be involved.

How did the Harvard data breach happen?

The breach started with a phone phishing attack. An unauthorized party used this method to gain access to university systems. Harvard has since revoked that access.

Is this the first time Harvard has been hacked this year?

No, this is the second incident Harvard has investigated in 2025. In October, the university looked into reports of a data compromise linked to a hack targeting Oracle Corp. customers.

What is Harvard doing about the breach?

The university removed the attacker’s access immediately. It is now working with third-party cybersecurity experts and law enforcement. An investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Have other Ivy League schools been hacked recently?

Yes, several other elite universities have reported breaches. Princeton, the University of Pennsylvania, and Columbia University have all faced similar cyberattacks in recent months.