Email Attachment Exposes Missouri State University Foreign Student Information
Quick Facts
- Date: 1/21/2009
- Institution: Missouri State University
- Type of Incident: Unauthorized Disclosure
- Number Affected: 565
- Source: ESI
- Abstract Source: News-Leader
Abstract
Missouri State University is working to contact foreign students after an email was accidentally sent out containing personal information. The email in question was sent out with a spreadsheet attachment containing the names and Social Security numbers and other sensitive information of 565 foreign students enrolled at MSU. The email was sent out to 179 students on January 14 by the directory of international student services. On January 16, another email was sent out asking these students to please delete the email with the attachment. MSU officials hope that the risks are lower since not all of the students had Social Security numbers. However, MSU is currently looking at the feasibility of obtaining insurance for the affected students.