Posted by: Aubrey Felix on September 17, 2025 at 12:51 pm
Could Your Business Survive What Just Happened To South Lyon Schools?
Breaking: South Lyon Community Schools have been shut down for three straight days following a network outage that caused a security incident. This has affected some of its critical systems, including phone lines and security cameras.
What We Know
- The incident began Sunday night (Sept. 14) and escalated quickly.
- By Monday morning, schools were closed, phone systems were down, and security infrastructure was offline.
- On Wednesday (Sept. 17), Superintendent Steve Archibald confirmed the district was still working with cybersecurity experts to restore safe operations.
- No timeline has been given for when schools will reopen. Network recovery could take several more days.
“Unfortunately, SLCS will be closed tomorrow, September 17th, due to the network interruptions and phone systems being down. Our teams are continuing to work diligently to restore impacted systems.
While there has been significant improvement, we cannot ensure our systems will be restored to the level of security and communication we need to safely open school. We will provide updates as they become available.
– Steve Archibald (Click on Detroit)
The district is calling it a “network incident.” They haven’t confirmed or denied a cyber attack, but we can apply the lesson either way. No matter how it started, the symptoms are the same, loss of communication, prolonged downtime, and external consultants called in. All of which can give us a lesson on tightening up our business’s cybersecurity.
Key Lessons for Small Businesses in Michigan
Let’s be clear: this isn’t just a school issue. This is a real-world case study of what happens when essential systems go down due to cyber disruption.
And it could just as easily be your:
- Manufacturing line
- Dental practice
- Logistics dashboard
- Customer service phones
Here’s what you should take from this situation:
- No One’s Too Small to Be Targeted.
Schools, nonprofits, small shops—cybercriminals don’t care. They want the easiest way in, and outdated or lightly protected networks are prime targets. - Downtime = Real Costs
Three days of closure is more than just missed lessons. It’s parents scrambling, teachers sidelined, reputations dented. For a business, that’s lost revenue and broken trust. - “We’ll Fix It When It Breaks” Doesn’t Cut It Anymore
South Lyon had to bring in outside help. If your “IT guy” isn’t prepared to handle a full-blown incident, it’s time to rethink your approach. - Backups and Phones Matter More Than You Think
With communication down, South Lyon was flying blind. You need off-network backups and alternate phone systems ready to go. - Be Honest, Be Proactive
To their credit, the district has been transparent. That builds trust. If your business gets hit, will you know what to say? Who to call? What to do next?
If South Lyon Lost Three Days Of Operations, How Long Could You Afford To Be Down?
This isn’t fear-mongering—it’s a flashlight. South Lyon’s incident shows us the gaps in our own systems. If you’re running a business in Southeast Michigan, ask yourself: “If we lost phones, internet, and access to our files right now—who would I call, and how fast could we bounce back?”
If you don’t have a confident answer, let’s talk. Because cybersecurity isn’t just about preventing chaos, it’s about protecting the people who count on you. Reach out today, and let’s make sure your phones, backups, and team are ready for whatever comes next.