Steve Contorno reports:
A state database containing sensitive information, including more than 600 Social Security numbers, was available to the general public through the Virginia Department of General Services website since 2001.
The department announced Friday that the site is now secure, and it is notifying affected individuals.
The state does not believe the sensitive information was used maliciously or in a criminal manner. The database was not accessible via search engines, according to an agency statement.
The database is used by more than 40 state agencies to upload information about contracts and procurements, spokeswoman Susan Pollard told The Washington Examiner Friday. A Department of Social Services employee recently discovered the contents of the database could be found by conducting a series of queries on the Department of General Services website.
Read more on Washington Examiner.