Harvard University is facing one of its most serious cybersecurity incidents in recent years after confirming that its Alumni Affairs and Development systems were compromised in a coordinated attack. The university revealed that the breach occurred through a phone-based phishing scam that allowed attackers to gain unauthorized access to internal data used for managing alumni and donor engagement. The discovery was made on November 18, and Harvard immediately launched an investigation with the help of cybersecurity experts and law enforcement agencies.

According to the university’s initial report, the exposed data includes email addresses, phone numbers, home and work addresses, donation histories and event participation records. While Harvard stressed that the affected systems generally do not contain financial account numbers or Social Security numbers, the nature of the leaked information still raises concerns because of how valuable donor and alumni records are to cybercriminals. In addition to the phishing attack, Harvard also confirmed a second security incident involving the Cl0p ransomware group, which exploited a zero-day vulnerability in Oracle’s E Business Suite. This exploit allowed the attackers to access a limited number of additional files, including some internal documents and administrative data.

Harvard responded by cutting off unauthorized access and applying Oracle’s emergency security patch. The university has also created a dedicated information page to keep the community updated as the investigation progresses. Officials are urging students, staff, alumni and donors to remain cautious about unexpected calls, texts or emails in the coming weeks, as phishing attempts often increase after high-profile breaches.

This attack signals a broader challenge that universities face as they become increasingly frequent targets for cybercriminals. Academic institutions store large amounts of personal information, yet their open and collaborative environments often make them more vulnerable than corporate networks. With Harvard confirming that some of the stolen data has already been leaked online by Cl0p, cybersecurity analysts warn that the incident could have long-term repercussions for both the university and its global network of alumni.

For now, Harvard is continuing its forensic investigation, and more details are expected as experts assess the full scope of the breach. The university has not yet confirmed whether individuals will receive direct notifications, but further communication is expected once the extent of the compromised data becomes clearer. The breach serves as a reminder that even the most prestigious institutions are not immune to sophisticated cyberattacks and must continuously strengthen their digital defenses to protect sensitive information.