Harvard University Suffers Second Data Breach in Months Following Phone Phishing Attack
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Harvard University has disclosed a significant data breach affecting its alumni and donor database, marking the second cybersecurity incident the institution has faced in recent months. The breach originated from a phone phishing attack that allowed unauthorized access to sensitive information, including personal contact details and donation histories tied to the university’s fundraising and alumni operations.
On November 18, 2025, Harvard’s Alumni Affairs and Development systems were infiltrated after an attacker successfully manipulated an employee through a phone-based phishing scam. The university responded swiftly by removing the intruder’s access and implementing measures to prevent further unauthorized activity. Harvard confirmed the incident in a notification posted on its official website, underscoring the seriousness of the breach given the database’s critical role in managing relationships with donors and alumni.
“The University acted immediately to remove the attacker’s access to our systems and prevent further unauthorized access,” the statement read. The compromised data includes sensitive personal information and detailed donation records, a valuable asset given Harvard’s annual fundraising efforts exceed one billion dollars.
This breach compounds concerns about the cybersecurity vulnerabilities faced by elite academic institutions. Just last month, Princeton University reported a similar incident involving the compromise of its alumni, donor, student, and community member databases. Likewise, the University of Pennsylvania revealed in late October that its information systems had been targeted in a broader hacking campaign affecting multiple institutions.
Experts note that Ivy League schools, despite investing heavily in research, talent, and digital infrastructure, remain attractive targets for cybercriminals due to the vast troves of personal and financial data they maintain. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has repeatedly warned about the growing sophistication of phishing attacks, including those that impersonate trusted coworkers to steal credentials and gain system access.
Harvard’s recent breach follows an earlier investigation in October, when the university examined reports that its data had been caught up in a hacking campaign targeting Oracle customers. That incident already placed Harvard in a high-risk category for cyber threats, a status now reaffirmed by this latest attack.
Phone phishing, also known as vishing, remains a potent vector for cyber intrusions. Attackers exploit human trust and social engineering tactics to bypass technical defenses. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, such schemes have surged in recent years, particularly targeting institutions with valuable data assets.
With Ivy League schools increasingly under siege, cybersecurity experts urge these institutions to adopt multi-layered defenses, including employee training, robust authentication protocols, and continuous monitoring. The National Institute of Standards and Technology provides comprehensive frameworks to help organizations mitigate risks associated with phishing and other cyber threats.
As Harvard and its peer institutions grapple with these challenges, the incidents serve as a stark reminder that even the most prestigious universities must remain vigilant in protecting their digital ecosystems. Alumni, donors, faculty, and students are urged to monitor their accounts for suspicious activity and follow recommended security practices.
The university has pledged to continue its investigation and enhance security measures to safeguard its community’s information. Meanwhile, the broader academic sector watches closely as these breaches highlight the urgent need for stronger cybersecurity resilience across higher education.
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