Educational Security Incidents (ESI)

Quick Facts

• Date: 7/11/2008
• Institution: University of Texas, Austin
• Type of Incident: Unauthorized Disclosure
• Number Affected: 2,490
• Source: SSNBreach.org
• Abstract Source: SSNBreach.org Media Release

Abstract
SSNBreach.org has announced that it discovered containing personal and sensitive information on University of Texas, Austin students and staff was available online. The information, contained in over 60 different files, contained information such as names, addresses, 66 social security numbers, 459 partial social security numbers, phone numbers, e-mails, scores, GPA, GRE Scores, Majors, Race, Gender, GPA, phone numbers, tax information, and other personal information. The files were found to have been posted online by at least four different faculty members. The university restricted access in January after being notified by SSNBreach.org but the files were still accessible through search engine caches through at least May 2008.

Quick Facts

• Date: 1/5/2008
• Institution: University of Texas, Austin
• Type of Incident: Unauthorized Disclosure
• Number Affected: 13
• Source: SSNBreach.org
• Abstract Source: SSNBreach.org Media Release

Abstract
SSNBreach.org discovered a file containing student information available online at the University of Texas, Austin. The file, placed online by Dr. K. Sathasivan of the College of Natural Sciences, contained the names, Social Security numbers, test scores, assignment scores and grades of 13 students from Dr. Sathasivan's Biology 331 course. The university removed the files within hours of notification.

Quick Facts

• Date: 10/10/2007
• Institution: University of Texas, Austin
• Type of Incident: Unauthorized Disclosure
• Number Affected: 22
• Source: ESI
• Abstract Source: SSNBreach.org

Abstract
SSNBreach.org has release another press release about an educational institution exposing private student information online. The University of Texas at Austin had six files on an unsecured FTP site that contained student information including names, Social Security numbers, gender, majors, grades, and e-mail address on 22 current and former students. Both the university and the FBI were contacted over this incident. The university immediately took action to remove this files and is working to contact these individuals about the problem. According to the Chief Information Security Officer Cam Beasley "The University of Texas at Austin takes these matters seriously and we are actively working to secure this information."

Quick Facts

• Date: 10/12/2006
• Institution: University of Texas, Austin
• Type of Incident: Theft
• Number Affected: 2,500
• Source: Attrition.org
• Abstract Source: The Houston Chronicle

Abstract
The University of Texas at Austin alerted 2,500 students that their personal information, including Social Security numbers, were contained on two computers stolen from faculty members home on September 29. The affected student are those that took computer science or engineering classes from Ray Springston between fall 2005 and fall 2006. The school is providing students information on how to monitor their credit reports for suspicious activity and has setup a web site to assist affected students. The Fort Worth police are currently investigating this theft, but currently have no leads.

Quick Facts

• Date: 4/24/2006
• Institution: University of Texas, Austin
• Type of Incident: Unauthorized disclosure
• Number Affected: 197,000
• Source: InfoSec News
• Abstract Source: ComputerWorld

Abstract

A breach of a computer run by the University of Texas' McCombs School of Business exposed 197,000 records of alumni, faculty, staff and current and prospective students. According to the University, some of these records included Social Security Numbers and "possibly other biographical data". The University's attorney general is working with the UT Internet enforcement unit to ensure that affected individuals are notified and protected from possible identity theft.