University operations in Reutlingen continue despite restrictions caused by a cyberattack at the HSZ-BW

Following the cyberattack on the Baden-Württemberg University Services Centre (HSZ-BW on 7 October 2026, the forensic analysis of the HSZ-BW’s systems has now been completed. The findings suggest that the universities’ data held by the HSZ-BW remains largely intact and that only a relatively small data breach, amounting to approximately 1 GB, has occurred. According to the findings of the investigation, the likelihood of a leak of personal data from the HSZ-BW’s networks is very low. However, such a leak cannot be ruled out entirely.

It appears that the attackers were only able to breach a small part of the HSZ-BW’s network, where they encrypted files and accessed data. However, as it cannot be ruled out that the attackers may have left malware in other parts of the network, the HSZ-BW will completely rebuild its network environment and servers using state-of-the-art security technology and restore the universities’ data to the state it was in just before the attack.

At the same time, the HSZ-BW team is working to restore services for the universities in the areas of campus management (student and examination administration) as well as financial and human resources management. It is not yet possible to say when all services will be available again. We will inform you as soon as we have further information on this matter.

Teaching activities are continuing as normal, whilst the administration is currently operating on an emergency basis.

In the area of Budget and Finances, the university’s ability to meet its financial obligations is largely assured. Invoices, scholarships and lecturing contracts can be processed.

In Human Resources, the payment of current salaries by the LBV remains guaranteed. Employment contracts, teaching contracts and student assistant contracts can still be issued.

For students, lectures are continuing as normal. The HISinOne campus management services are currently unavailable. Information on the implications and current temporary solutions can be found in the FAQs (see below).

Reutlingen University is continuing to work diligently to minimise the impact on students and staff as much as possible and to maintain the affected administrative processes through alternative solutions. This is also being done in consultation with other affected institutions and with the support of the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts.

Further InformationFAQs