A Message from the President — Canvas Update

Saturday, May 9, 2026, 10:00am

Dear Campus Community,

This is to update you on the latest information we have regarding the cybersecurity incident involving Instructure, and what it means for our campus community. 

Sonoma State University teams have been working in close coordination with the Chancellor’s Office, state partners, and cybersecurity experts to complete a thorough validation process and implement all recommended security protocols. That process has now been completed, and based on the group’s evaluation, it is the recommendation of the Chancellor’s Office that all CSU campuses can resume using Canvas.

While we have taken every precaution to ensure that CSU and Sonoma State systems are secure, we can never guarantee that criminal actors will not strike again to inflict chaos and disruption. Therefore, out of an abundance of caution in the aftermath of these events, we advise you to continue to be vigilant for future cyber threats.

Please back up any personal information, course materials, and critical documents stored within Canvas or related systems as a measure for added security. When accessing Canvas, you will see a banner message reiterating the steps we encourage you to take during this time.

If you encounter suspicious activity, please report it to [email protected]. The CSU or Sonoma State will never ask you to pay money to access your Canvas materials, including examinations. Please log out immediately and notify [email protected] if you are asked for any payment information

We understand this has caused a major disruption at a time when our faculty, staff, and students are preparing for the end of the semester and Commencement ceremonies. I want to especially thank Sonoma State’s John Lynch, Director of the Center for Teaching and Educational Technology (CTET), and Kyle Falbo, CTET’s Educational Technology Application Expert, for their incredible efforts communicating, troubleshooting, and resolving Canvas’ issues locally during this critical time.

Again, please continue to be vigilant when using Canvas, including reviewing the “What to Know Before You Log In” guidance here. Further support is available through CTET, [email protected], and through the Network Support Center.