Educational Security Incidents (ESI)

Quick Facts

• Date: 11/30/2006
• Institution: Naval War College
• Type of Incident: Penetration
• Number Affected: N/A
• Source: ESI
• Abstract Source: The Washington Times

Abstract
Earlier this month, Chinese hackers penetrated and, according to Retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Richard Goetze, "took down" the Naval War College's computer network. According to a college spokesperson, all affected machines have been disconnected from the network and are undergoing digital forensic investigations to help the Navy determine the specifics of the attack. The FBI and NCIS are also investigation the computer attack. It is unknown at this point if this attack is related to "Titan Rain",the government code-name for the recent increase in cyber-attacks against US military and defense institutions coming from China. Officials declined to comment further on the incident but did state that this was an isolated incident that did not affect any other Department of Defense networks.

Quick Facts

• Date: 11/28/2006
• Institution: California State, Los Angeles
• Type of Incident: Theft
• Number Affected: 2,534
• Source: Attrition.org
• Abstract Source: CBS2/KCAL9

Abstract
Cal State, L.A. officials recently contacted over 2,500 students, applicants and faculty members and informed these individuals that their identities are at risk. A USB drive containing names, Social Security numbers, campus ID numbers, e-mail address and phone numbers of individuals in the university's teacher credential program was in a purse stolen from a Cal State, L.A. employee's car. According to university officials, it is not known whether or not the thief has accessed this information, but the university is concerned about student identification safety and preventing such an incident from occurring in the future. The university has urged student to contact the major credit bureaus and has also setup a set up a toll-free calling center at (800) 883-4029 and a Web site, www.calstatela.edu/usbincident.

Quick Facts

• Date: 11/23/2006
• Institution: University of Colorado, Boulder
• Type of Incident: Theft
• Number Affected: N/A
• Source: ESI
• Abstract Source: CBS 4, Denver

Abstract
A thief made off with a University of Colorado computer containing several years worth of graduate research. The computer in question belonged to the university's Engineering Center. According to Engineering faculty, the research is of little use to most people. The University of Colorado and the Boulder County Crime Stoppers are offering a $1,000 reward to any information leading to an arrest and criminal charges.

Quick Facts

• Date: 11/17/2006
• Institution: Jefferson College of Health Sciences
• Type of Incident: Unauthorized Disclosure
• Number Affected: 143
• Source: Attrition.org
• Abstract Source: WSLS, News Channel 10

Abstract
An e-mail sent by Jefferson College of Health Sciences (JCHS) financial aid director accidentally exposes 143 student names and social security numbers. According to the college, the e-mail was intended for another college employee but ended up being sent every one of JCHS's 900 students. An e-mail from Carol Seavor, the college president, urged students to immediately delete this e-mail since "the information was not intended for [student] review." JCHS is also willing to pay for one year of credit monitoring for all affected students.

Quick Facts

• Date: 11/14/2006
• Institution: Connors State College
• Type of Incident: Theft
• Number Affected: 22,500
• Source: ESI
• Abstract Source: KTEN.com

Abstract
Connors State College officials just announced the theft and recovery of a college laptop that contained information the thousands of students involved in the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program (OHLAP) scholarship. All told, the names, address and Social Security numbers on 22,500 students were contained on this laptop. A current Connors student is under investigation for the theft. According to school officials, there is no evidence that this information was accessed, but Connors is encouraging all students affected to closely monitor their credit statements.