Stolen Laptop Recovered, Fate Of 98,000 Records Unknown
Quick Facts
- Date: 9/16/2005
- Institution: University of California, Berkeley
- Type of Incident: Theft
- Number Affected: 98,000
- Source: INFOSEC Year In Review
- Abstract Source: PC World via EDUPAGE
Abstract
A laptop stolen in March from the University of California at Berkeley has been recovered, after being bought and sold several times, ultimately landing in South Carolina. When stolen, the computer contained sensitive data on more than 98,000 UC Berkeley graduate students, but by the time it was recovered, all of its files and operating system had been cleared, making it impossible to determine if the personal information was accessed after the theft. Following the theft, the university worked to contact those whose data was contained on the computer, as required by California law, and also hired an outside consultant to audit the institution's practices of handling such data, according to spokesperson Janet Gilmore. The university is currently assessing the recommendations of that audit and how to implement them. PCWorld, 16 September 2005
[Abstract by Edupage Editors taken directly from Edupage, September 16, 2005]