FAISALABAD: Government College University Faisalabad has reported a suspected cybersecurity breach involving its academic records. Hackers allegedly accessed teachers’ online portals and increased examination marks for dozens of students.
The university has approached the Federal Investigation Agency’s Cyber Crime Wing for a detailed investigation. Officials want authorities to identify those responsible and determine how the academic system was compromised.
According to the university’s application, unauthorised individuals manipulated results covering 72 courses for 32 students. The alleged changes increased the marks recorded in the university’s online database.
University Detects Examination Result Tampering
The alleged breach emerged during routine checks by the Controller of Examinations Office. Officials found major differences between manually maintained records and information stored in the online system.
After verifying the discrepancies, the university withheld the affected students’ results. Authorities are now examining the circumstances behind the alleged manipulation.
The university also reported repeated unauthorised logins to several teachers’ faculty portals. Preliminary findings showed that the portals were accessed multiple times from the same IP address on different dates.
Therefore, investigators suspect that one individual may have carried out the operation. However, authorities will need further forensic analysis to establish who accessed the system.
Students Allegedly Hired Hacker
Initial findings suggest that the 32 students allegedly sought help from a hacker to increase their examination scores.
University officials believe the students paid money in exchange for altering their academic records. However, the exact amount allegedly paid has not yet been disclosed.
The institution has described the incident as a serious cybercrime. It has requested a comprehensive forensic investigation into the breach.
FIA to Examine Digital Evidence
The university has also withheld the Detailed Marks Certificates of all 32 students. Consequently, the students cannot use the allegedly altered results while the investigation continues.
The FIA Cyber Crime Wing is expected to examine digital evidence from the university’s systems. This may include login records, IP addresses and other technical information. Investigators will also determine whether additional people participated in the alleged operation. The findings could have significant academic and legal consequences for those involved.
The case highlights the growing need for stronger cybersecurity measures within educational institutions. Protecting academic databases is essential to maintain the credibility of examination results and institutional records.
