Greg Otto reports: Nearly 12,000 Interior Department laptops are inadequately protected against the theft of personally identifiable information due to poorly configured software. In a management advisory obtained by FedScoop, the department’s Deputy Inspector General Mary Kendall wrote that a large number of laptops have their full-disk encryption software configured to run post-boot user authentication,…
Category: Government Sector
Ex-D.C. juvenile justice worker pleads guilty in $42 million tax-ID-theft ring
Spencer S. Hsu reports that at least 645 youth offenders had their identity information provided to a tax fraud ring by a juvenile justice worker: A former D.C. juvenile justice worker pleaded guilty Tuesday to helping steal at least $2 million in fraudulent federal income tax refunds by giving personal information about hundreds of youth offenders…
In: Confidential data stands exposed on GHMC website
The Hindu reports: It is a free for all on Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation’s portal when it comes to data about births or deaths. Thanks to its sloppy security, confidential records of several thousands, alive and dead, stand exposed on the municipal body’s website. At a click of the mouse, birth and death enquiry links…
OH: Regional Income Tax Agency loses DVD with personal info for 50,000 people, offers free credit monitoring
Bruce Geiselman reports: The Regional Income Tax Agency announced Dec. 31 that nearly two months earlier it lost personal data for about 50,000 people who filed tax forms with the agency. A backup DVD with the information cannot be located, according to RITA. The agency says it will provide one-year of free credit monitoring to those affected. Read…
MY: Parents and students urged to complain about security breach of their data
Kong See Hoh reports on a breach involving 300,000 students’ and their parents’ personal information. The Personal Data Protection Department (JPDP) urges parents of students whose personal data were reportedly leaked to demand an explanation from the Education Ministry. JPDP said if they are not happy with the ministry’s explanation, they can lodge complaints with…
Oregon Employment Department computers still vulnerable a year after breach
Hillary Borrud reports: Computer systems at the Oregon Employment Department remain vulnerable more than a year after a major data breach at the agency, according to a state audit released this week. State employees have taken steps to tighten the Employment Department’s cyber security, but auditors found that problems remain. These include a lack of…