HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) -- An unknown number of students across South Carolina had their personal information accessed via a nationwide cybersecurity breach, the state Department of Education announced Tuesday. Officials said unauthorized access to a PowerSchool access portal was part of an "international incident over which the state and local districts had no control" and that company leaders confirmed "personally identifiable information" was compromised. "The protection of our South Carolina students' and educators' personal data is non-negotiable. We fully recognize the anxiety this raises for them and their families," State Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver said in a statement. PowerSchool is used by many districts across the state including those in the Lowcountry. Founded in 1997, PowerSchool is a leading provider of cloud-based, K-12 software across North America. According to the company's website, it monitors 10,000 servers around the clock, and block about a billion attacks every year. The South Carolina Department of Education is working with the company, legal counsel and local districts to assess the full impact and determine next steps. Officials are also in communication with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and state attorney general's office. Gov. Henry McMaster and legislative leaders have also been briefed. "While PowerSchool has taken accountability for this breach, our department will take uncompromising action to ensure we uncover the complete extent of this incident," Weaver said. "We will insist that PowerSchool not only notify affected individuals but also provide them with credit and identity monitoring services."