The Belgian and Dutch Data Protection Authorities (DPAs) will be conducting an investigation into the security of SWIFT’s payment networks following, among others, international media reports on foreign intelligence services – possibly the NSA – allegedly having unlawful access under European law to financial messaging data at SWIFT. The Dutch Data Protection Authority (CBP) and the Belgian…
Category: Unauthorized Access
Stockton Police Chief Arrested for Identity Theft Stemming from Love Triangle
Another case where someone in law enforcement hacked and misused a law enforcement database for personal reasons? The chief of police is the last person you expect to be arrested, but on Tuesday deputies from the Jo Daviess Sheriff’s Department took Stockton Police Chief Robert Beeter into custody. Beeter’s charges of 16 counts of identity theft…
Mo. House Speaker defends attempt to hack into state’s list of concealed weapons permits
Associated Press reports: The Speaker of the Missouri House says an attempt to access a secure website listing Missouri’s concealed gun permit holders was part of an investigation into whether the state had appropriately shielded the information. In an interview with The Associated Press, House Speaker Tim Jones, R-Eureka, declined Monday to identify the person…
Follow-up: Regulators criticize NYSEG for computer security breach
Remember the breach reported by New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) and Rochester Gas and Electric (RG&E) back in January? Jeff Platsky reports the results of an investigation into the utilities’ security: A potential data breach at New York State Electric & Gas Corp. not only drew the ire of customers but is now…
UK: Crossing a line that should not be crossed: 8 officers resign over misuse of police database
Russell Myers reports: Eight police staff have lost their jobs after illegally accessing the confidential records of dozens of people on the Police National Computer. Of the eight, one police officer and one community support officer (PCSO) are facing criminal charges after an investigation by Essex Police found them guilty of gross misconduct. Another PCSO…
Blackboard Bungle: 2 Lake Braddock students stole passwords, erased school data
Emma Brown reports: Two Fairfax County middle-school students used stolen passwords to wreak havoc with a school software application used countywide by thousands of teachers, students and parents, according to authorities. […] An investigation led to the two boys, who had apparently obtained the passwords of a fellow student and 17 teachers, Luftglass said….