DataBreaches.Net

Menu
  • About
  • Breach Notification Laws
  • Privacy Policy
  • Transparency Report
Menu

Case Western Reserve notifies 600 alumni of data breach involving Social Security numbers

Posted on April 10, 2012 by Dissent

Earlier today, a breach report was submitted to DataLossDB.org involving Case Western Reserve University in Ohio.  The April 4th notice, submitted by one of those affected, indicated that 600 people had names and Social Security numbers on two laptops that had been stolen.

Although the university is offering affected individuals free identity theft protection services, the notice was a tad light on breach details, so I contacted the university. A spokesperson kindly provided additional information, which I am summarizing below:

  • The university-issued laptops were stolen from the university art studio building on campus. Neither laptop had any software installed that would permit remote purging of data following discovery of the theft.  Neither laptop was encrypted.
  • The approximately 600 individuals affected by this incident are master’s of arts and bachelor’s of arts alumni from 1987 to present.
  • In response to a question as to whether the laptops were supposed to have been encrypted as per some university policy, the spokesperson replied:

All faculty and staff should have Identity Finder software installed on university-issued computers. This program is designed to identify and “clean” Social Security numbers. Both laptops had the software; neither had had the data scrubbed.

  • As a result of this incident, the university will be doing more compliance/auditing work to ensure that the Identity Finder software is actually used as intended.
Category: Breach IncidentsEducation SectorTheftU.S.

Post navigation

← Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals Notify Patients Of Security Breach
Do red flags on credit files really protect us? →

Now more than ever

"Stand with Ukraine:" above raised hands. The illustration is in blue and yellow, the colors of Ukraine's flag.

Search

Browse by Categories

Recent Posts

  • CoinMarketCap Hacked, Scrambles to Remove Malicious Wallet Verification Popup
  • Montana Attorney General launches investigation into Lee Enterprises data breach
  • AT&T gets preliminary approval for $177 million data breach settlement
  • Aflac notifies SEC of breach suspected to be work of Scattered Spider
  • Former JBLM soldier pleads guilty to attempting to share military secrets with China
  • No, the 16 billion credentials leak is not a new data breach — a wake-up call about fake news (Updated)
  • Tonga’s health system hit by cyberattack (1)
  • Russia Expert Falls Prey to Elite Hackers Disguised as US Officials
  • Proposed class action settlement in In re Netgain Technology litigation
  • Qilin Offers “Call a lawyer” Button For Affiliates Attempting To Extort Ransoms From Victims Who Won’t Pay

No, You Can’t Buy a Post or an Interview

This site does not accept sponsored posts or link-back arrangements. Inquiries about either are ignored.

And despite what some trolls may try to claim: DataBreaches has never accepted even one dime to interview or report on anyone. Nor will DataBreaches ever pay anyone for data or to interview them.

Want to Get Our RSS Feed?

Grab it here:

https://databreaches.net/feed/

RSS Recent Posts on PogoWasRight.org

  • The Markup caught 4 more states sharing personal health data with Big Tech
  • Privacy in the Big Sky State: Montana’s Consumer Privacy Law Gets Amended
  • UK Passes Data Use and Access Regulation Bill
  • Officials defend Liberal bill that would force hospitals, banks, hotels to hand over data
  • US Judge Invalidates Biden Rule Protecting Privacy for Abortions
  • DOJ’s Data Security Program: Key Compliance Considerations for Impacted Entities
  • 23andMe fined £2.31 million for failing to protect UK users’ genetic data

Have a News Tip?

Email: Tips[at]DataBreaches.net

Signal: +1 516-776-7756

Contact Me

Email: info[at]databreaches.net

Mastodon: Infosec.Exchange/@PogoWasRight

Signal: +1 516-776-7756

DMCA Concern: dmca[at]databreaches.net
© 2009 – 2025 DataBreaches.net and DataBreaches LLC. All rights reserved.