Quick Facts

• Date: 11/15/2009
• Institution: California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
• Type of Incident: Unauthorized Disclosure
• Number Affected: 355
• Source: ESI
• Abstract Source: LA Times

Abstract
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona recently announced that a mistake exposed the personal information of former applicants online. The information, available online for five years, included names and Social Security numbers of 355 applicants from 2003. According to the university, the information was mistakenly placed in a publicly accessible folder in November 2003. The file was removed in November 2008, but the data remained in search engine caches and indexes. Cal Poly Pomona became aware that this information was still, in part, available when a former student discovered his own information while searching Google.

Quick Facts

• Date: 12/4/2008
• Institution: California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
• Type of Incident: Unauthorized Disclosure
• Number Affected: 675
• Source: Pogo Was Right
• Abstract Source: Pasadena Star-News

Abstract
Cal Poly Pomona is working to alert former students after a file containing personal information was found online. The file, an excel spreadsheet, contained the names, address, phone numbers and Social Security numbers on 675 former Cal Poly Pomona student applicants from 2001. The file was discovered after a former Cal Poly Pomona did a Google search for his name. An investigation by the university found that the breach was unintentional and the file had mistakenly been placed in a publicly accessible folder. According to the university, there is not evidence that anyone other then the student who discovered the file had accessed this information.

Quick Facts

• Date: 08/01/2006
• Institution: California Polytechnic State University
• Type of Incident: Theft
• Number Affected: 3,020
• Source: Attrition.org
• Abstract Source: San Luis Obispo Tribune

Abstract

A laptop stolen from the home of Cal Poly professor John Mottman contained the Social Security numbers on any student that took Mottman's astronomy or physics lectures between 1994 and 2004. During this period, Cal Poly used Social Security numbers on class lists as unique identifiers. This practice ended in 2004. In fact, Cal Poly is attempting to change its practice of using Social Security numbers altogether. Cal Poly is recommending that any affected student contact one of the three major credit bureaus and request a fraud alert be placed on their credit report.