Midwestern State University student develops alternative to Canvas following cyberattack - Texomashomepage.com

WICHITA FALLS ( KFDX/KJTL ) — After a cyberattack disrupted access to Canvas for students and faculty across the country, one Midwestern State University student said the incident highlights the need for a more secure approach to online learning platforms.

Sanithu Hulathduwage, a 20-year-old computer science senior originally from Sri Lanka, is developing software he believes could eventually replace Canvas and other traditional learning management systems.

Hulathduwage is expected to graduate in December 2026, but outside the classroom, he has been working on a platform called Set Flow, designed with a different approach to handling student data.

Traditional learning management systems typically rely on centralized servers to store information, meaning large amounts of data are stored in a single location. Hulathduwage said his platform is built on decentralized technology, allowing schools to maintain control of their own databases.

“What ‘bring your own database’ does is we don’t own the student data or any of the information,” Hulathduwage said. “The school brings its own database to us, and we connect our platform to that database and display the information through our user interface.”

He believes the structure could help reduce the risk of widespread outages or cyberattacks impacting multiple schools at once.

“I can start reaching out to schools and universities and say, ‘Hey, there’s this platform. We prevent these attacks, and our security structure is really strong,’” he said. “My end goal is for all schools and universities to use Set Flow for their students and teachers.”

As schools continue investigating the recent cyberattack, cybersecurity experts say the incident underscores the growing importance of stronger digital infrastructure in education systems nationwide.

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