Bhubaneswar: The official Instagram account of the Higher Education Department was subjected to a cyberattack this morning, leading to its temporary compromise and the unauthorized posting of unrelated content. Swift action by the department resulted in the successful retrieval of the account and the removal of all irrelevant material. The department has announced its decision to file a First Information Report (FIR) regarding the incident.
The breach occurred on the morning of July 28, 2025, when unauthorized individuals gained access to the department’s Instagram profile. During the period of compromise, several posts that bore no relation to the Higher Education Department’s legitimate activities or mandate were uploaded.
Upon discovering the unauthorized activity, the department initiated immediate response protocols. These rapid measures enabled the department to regain full control of the Instagram account and promptly delete all the content posted by the unauthorized party.
The Higher Education Department views this incident with extreme seriousness. A spokesperson for the department stated, “This unauthorized access is a grave concern. We have successfully retrieved our account and removed the inappropriate content. To ensure accountability and prevent future occurrences, we will be lodging a formal FIR with law enforcement authorities to investigate this cybercrime thoroughly.”
The incident highlights the growing threat of cyberattacks targeting public institutions’ digital platforms. The department is expected to review its cybersecurity protocols for all social media accounts, including strengthening authentication measures like Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), conducting regular security audits, and enhancing employee training on cybersecurity awareness. The filing of the FIR is a crucial step in identifying the perpetrators and reinforcing the department’s commitment to digital security.
Further details regarding the investigation will be released as they become available.