Add Thomas Nelson Community College to the list of colleges and universities disclosing breaches in 2015.
The college learned on December 9, 2015, that on December 8, 2015, confidential student information including name, address, phone number, Social Security number, student identification number, date of birth, immunization dates, background check results (no offenses listed), grades, and student progress indicators were emailed to eleven current nursing students.
In her notification to those affected, Christy Hawkins, Ph.D Dean of Health Professions does not explain how that error occurred. From the sound of the letter, it seems that the data were emailed in the clear. If so, was that a violation of their policy?
According to Dr. Hawkins’ letter, a copy of which was submitted to the Vermont Attorney General’s Office, “Each of the email recipients has been contacted and directed to permanently delete this information.” Well, okay, but did they verify that it was deleted?
Those notified were offered Experian’s ProtectMyID for one year.
The number of students whose details were exposed was not noted in the letter.