DataBreaches.Net

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

Washington State Uni notifies those affected by stolen hard drive

Posted on June 10, 2017 by Dissent

PULLMAN, Wash., June 9, 2017 — Today, Washington State University (WSU) announced that it is addressing a security incident involving certain community members’ personal information. Though there is no evidence the personal information has been accessed or misused, WSU is notifying impacted individuals and offering free identity protection services to those individuals whose personal information may have been accessed.

On April 21, 2017, WSU learned that a locked safe containing a hard drive had been stolen. The hard drive was used to store backed-up files from a server used by the university’s Social & Economic Sciences Research Center (SESRC). Immediately upon learning of the theft, WSU initiated an internal review and notified local law enforcement. On April 26, WSU confirmed that the stolen hard drive contained personal information from some survey participants and, as a result, the university retained a leading computer forensics firm to assist in the investigation.

The drive contained documents that included personal information from survey participants, such as names, Social Security numbers and, in some cases, personal health information.  Entities that provided data to the SESRC include school districts, community colleges and other customers. WSU is also notifying the entities that provided SESRC with data that included personal information.

Immediately upon learning of the theft, WSU initiated an internal review, notified local law enforcement, and retained a computer forensics firm to assist in the university’s investigation. As soon as it was determined which individuals might be impacted, the university sent them notification letters and information about how they can enroll in one free year of credit monitoring and identity theft protection services through Experian. More information is available on WSU’s website: www.wsu.edu/security-incident. Individuals with questions should call 866-523-9195 between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Pacific time, Monday-Friday.

WSU remains committed to protecting the security and confidentiality of all personal information, and deeply regrets any concern this may cause. The university is taking steps to help prevent this type of incident from happening again. These steps include strengthening WSU’s information technology operations by completing a comprehensive assessment of IT practices and policies, improving training and awareness for university employees regarding best practices for handling data, and employing best practices for the delivery of IT services.

SOURCE Washington State University

Category: Education SectorTheftU.S.

Post navigation

← CD Projekt Red Reveals Cyberpunk 2077 Data Theft
You shot the messenger and then needed her help? How did that work out for you? →

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

  • Why Dumping Sensitive Data on Network Shares is a Liability
  • A militarily degraded Iran may turn to asymmetrical warfare – raising risk of proxy and cyber attacks
  • Pro-Russian hackers disrupt Dutch government websites ahead of NATO summit
  • Iran-Linked Threat Actors Leak Visitors and Athletes’ Data from Saudi Games
  • UK: Oxford City Council still investigating cyberattack from earlier this month
  • Steelmaker Nucor Says Hackers Stole Data in Recent Attack
  • People’s Republic of China cyber threat activity: Cyber Threat Bulletin
  • Ukrainian Web3 security auditing company Hacken suffered an attack that allowed a hacker to create 900 million HAI tokens
  • McLaren provides written notice to 743,131 patients after ransomware attack in July 2024 (2)
  • A state forensics lab was leaking its files. Getting it locked down involved a number of people.

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

  • Sky Views Personal Data as a Potential Weapon in IPTV Piracy War
  • Florida Used a Nationwide Surveillance Camera Network 250 Times To Aid in Immigration Arrests
  • Federal Court Strikes Down HIPAA Reproductive Health Care Privacy Rule
  • 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

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.