USF Canvas Restoration Update: Visit the Instructional Continuity Resources for more information and updates

Instructional Continuity Resources

This site will be updated regularly until further notice.

Check the Canvas Instructure Status Page for specific function and feature updates.

Posted 10:015 AM, Tuesday, May 12, 2026

Dear USF Community,

We are writing with a welcome update on the Canvas cybersecurity incidents from last week. 

On Monday afternoon, Instructure CEO Steve Daly shared that an agreement has been reached with the unauthorized actor, the affected data has been returned, and copies have been deleted. This is a positive outcome we all had hoped to see. We expect that Canvas will continue to be fully operational. 

His full update is available here »

Thank you for your patience and understanding throughout these last days of the semester. President Salvador and our Cabinet colleagues join us in wishing you all the very best as you wrap up your finals and bring this academic year to a close. We look forward to celebrating with you at next week’s graduation ceremonies.

Sincerely,

Eileen Fung
Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs

Opinder Bawa
Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer

Posted 11:35 AM, Monday, May 11, 2026

Dear USF Community,

We are writing to follow up on last week's communications regarding the Canvas / Instructure cybersecurity incident, which has affected approximately 9,000 institutions.

The Canvas environment appears more stable than it was last week. Out of an abundance of caution, we ask that you continue to follow the protocols we shared previously, including:

  • Continue to download grade books and end-of-semester materials regularly in case of further disruption.
  • Keep physical copies of all materials and information.
  • Verify links before clicking, and do not engage with any messages or instructions related to this incident from sources outside USF.
  • Report anything suspicious to the Information Security team (infosec@usfca.edu).
  • Report any technical issues to the ITS Help Desk (itshelp@usfca.edu).

Over the weekend, Instructure CEO Steve Daly issued a message providing more specific information about what was and was not exposed in the incident. The affected data fields include usernames, email addresses, course names, enrollment information, and Canvas messages. Importantly, Daly confirmed that "core learning data (course content, submissions, credentials) was not compromised."

Instructure has not yet informed us specifically about which USF data may have been affected. We are awaiting those details and will share them as they become available, along with any suggested next steps. 

Please note that USF’s Canvas system does not include personal information such as social security numbers, date of birth, government ID, payment information, or passwords.

We recognize the disruption and stress this has caused for our community, especially during these last few weeks of the semester. There are resources available on campus as we support each other during this difficult time. The university provides counseling services for students through CAPS 24/7 at (855) 531-0761.

We ask for your continued patience and understanding as we navigate this evolving situation together. We are committed to supporting our students and faculty as we complete the academic year. Regular updates will continue to be posted on the Instructional Continuity Resources page, which requires you to log in.

With gratitude,
Eileen Fung, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs
Opinder Bawa, Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer

Posted 6:00 PM, Sunday, May 10, 2026

No new updates.

Posted 6:00 PM, Saturday, May 9, 2026

No new updates.

Posted 6:00 PM, Friday, May 8, 2026

Emailing Students Through Banner

If you experience any issues emailing students through Canvas, you can instead email your class roster through Banner. For step-by-step instructions, please refer to KB15844.

Posted 2:44 PM, Friday, May 8, 2026

Zoom Security Settings

In light of the recent Instructure security incident, and drawing on our prior experience with Zoombombing, this is a good moment to confirm that your Zoom meetings in Canvas are properly secured.

A few steps to consider:

  • Set up a new Zoom link for your classes
  • Turn on a Waiting Room to screen attendees before granting entry
  • Require authentication to limit access to verified Zoom account holders

This [KB article] has additional details, and the ITS Help Desk is available to help with any of these settings — please don't hesitate to reach out at itshelp@usfca.edu.

Posted 11:40 AM, Friday, May 8, 2026

Canvas Restoration Update 

Instructure, the vendor providing our Canvas learning management system, has announced that Canvas is once again available for use (https://status.instructure.com/). After reviewing potential ongoing cybersecurity risks, USF is restoring access to Canvas with some recommendations to ensure the continuity of instruction.

What you need to know:

  • We suggest you download or capture an image of your grade book. You may also want to download any and all information you need to complete the semester in the event Canvas goes down again (e.g., lecture slides, study guides). If you need assistance in downloading, please refer to this document or contact the ITS Help Desk (itshelp@usfca.edu).
  • USF email or USF Google Drive folder is still recommended as the best way to receive submissions (e.g., assignments or information). Please remind students to keep physical copies of all submissions.
  • Verify links before clicking on them. Do not follow any instructions, links, or payment demands posted by the attackers or shared through unauthorized websites or messages related to this incident. If you see this, please notify the Information Security team (infosec@usfca.edu).
  • Consider alternative instructional and assessment methods for assignments, tests, and exams over the coming days.
  • If you see a feature or function in Canvas not working, please inform the ITS Help Desk (itshelp@usfca.edu).

We have no indications that any USF passwords have been compromised, as the login process occurs separately from Canvas.  Further, our Duo Mobile multi-factor authentication system provides an additional layer of security.

We will continue to coordinate with Instructure and monitor the situation and our Canvas environment. If you have any ongoing technical or cybersecurity concerns, please contact the ITS Help Desk (itshelp@usfca.edu).

We recognize the impact this has had, especially as you navigate the end of the semester. We ask for patience as we continue to navigate this evolving situation together. 

Regular Updates will be posted on the Instructional Continuity Resources page, which requires you to log in.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Eileen Fung
Provost and Vice Provost of Academic Affairs

Opinder Bawa
Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer

Posted 11:35 AM, Friday, May 8, 2026

Canvas LTI Update

Canvas LTIs Tested and Approved for Use

Instructional Technologies

  • Akindi
  • Turnitin 
  • Respondus 
  • Zoom 
  • Simple Syllabus
  • Gradescope
  • Panopto
  • Perusall
  • Piazza
  • WoltersKluwert

Publishers

  • McGraw-Hill
  • Cengage
  • Person
  • MacMillian
  • Wiley

Posted 10:07 AM, Friday, May 8, 2026

May 7, 2026 - USF CANVAS OUTAGE

Guidance for Faculty, Staff, and Students

Canvas, our learning management system, is experiencing a global outage, and no recovery time has been provided. This disruption is most likely related to the cybersecurity incident that happened earlier this week. As a result, students, faculty, and staff are currently unable to access Canvas. 

IMPORTANT -Please follow these guidelines:

We will be monitoring Canvas;

  • When Canvas becomes available, we will inform you, and at that time, we suggest you download or capture an image of your grade book. You may also want to download any and all information you need to complete the semester in the event Canvas goes down again (e.g., lecture slides, study guides). If you need assistance in downloading, please refer to this document or contact the ITS Help Desk (itshelp@usfca.edu).
  • Consider alternative instructional and assessment methods for assignments, tests, and exams over the coming days.
  • Communicate with your students how you will receive assignments (e.g., through USF email or you may set up a USF Google Drive folder to receive larger assignments). You can download student email addresses via Self-Serve Banner by going to your class, selecting “class list”, selecting all students in your class list, and using the email envelope icon to import your student emails directly into an email.
  • Do not add any information in Canvas. 
  • Do not follow any instructions, links, or payment demands posted by the attackers or shared through unauthorized websites or messages related to this incident. If you see this, please notify the Information Security team (infosec@usfca.edu).
  • A message will be sent to students to instruct them to submit assignments outside of Canvas. 

ITS is available to support faculty and students when Canvas becomes available. We will continue to provide updates through the official university channel as they become available. 

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Eileen Fung
Provost and Vice Provost of Academic Affairs

Opinder Bawa
Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer

 

Maintaining student learning is central to the University of San Francisco's fundamental mission of academic excellence. In light of increased absenteeism from the COVID-19 pandemic, wildfire seasons in California, and extreme weather emergencies, faculty and students should be prepared for alternative forms of course delivery. Access resource guides from Educational Technology Services to ensure instructional continuity during these circumstances.