cybersecurity

​University of Hawaii says a ransomware gang breached its Cancer Center in August 2025, stealing data of study participants, including documents from the 1990s containing Social Security numbers.

Founded in 1907, the University of Hawaii (UH) System now includes 3 universities and 7 community colleges, as well as 10 campuses and training and research centers across the Hawaiian Islands. Its Cancer Center is located in the Kakaʻako district of Honolulu and has over 300 faculty and staff, as well as an additional 200 affiliate members.

In a report to the state legislature, UH said the August 31 incident affected a single research project at the UH Cancer Center, without impacting clinical operations or patient care.

However, the extensive damage caused by encrypting the compromised systems delayed UH's restoration efforts and investigation into the attack's impact.