Following the cyberattack on the IT systems of Mainz University of Applied Sciences at the end of November 2025, major and important progress has already been made over the past weeks. Although members of the university are still noticeably affected in their day-to-day work by the consequences of the cyberattack, the reconstruction of an entirely new and secure IT infrastructure is steadily progressing. Continuous measures taken by the IT Department are helping to further stabilize university operations and guide them towards a new normal.
Students, lecturers and staff are continuously informed about the current situation via the Campus2Go app and through FAQs.
FAQs — Information on the Cyberattack
The majority of those affected have already received new login credentials and thus regained access to their email accounts as well as numerous external services. In parallel, the Human Resources Department continues to issue new passwords to staff, lecturers and adjunct lecturers. At the same time, all end devices administered by University IT and used by staff and lecturers were collected. New system images have been prepared and are now being rolled out in a coordinated manner. Individual devices have already been issued as a priority in order to keep system-relevant areas operational. Further departments, initially in critical areas, are now gradually being re-equipped with devices. Even before Christmas, the university’s ability to make payments was fully restored.
Wi-Fi access via eduroam is already almost fully available again at the Campus location. The Holzstraße and Wallstraße locations are expected to follow within the next two weeks. With the ongoing restoration of Wi-Fi, another important step towards normal operations is being achieved.
The past weeks have posed major challenges for Mainz University of Applied Sciences, and the situation continues to be demanding for all members of the university. The crisis management team is working tirelessly to ensure that students, lecturers and staff remain able to work, so that teaching operations could be maintained as far as possible. Many processes currently require increased organizational effort. Nevertheless, alternative ways of working have been established and key procedures have been maintained.
After the cyberattack was detected, all IT systems were completely shut down at the time for security reasons. Thanks to swift action, Mainz University of Applied Sciences was able to avert greater damage from an attempted extortion attack. What exactly happened at that time is explained in a video by Professor of Economics Prof. Dr. Dirk Loomans: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IH2iHlrg48
