Educational Security Incidents (ESI)

Quick Facts

• Date: 9/8/2008
• Institution: University of Pittsburgh
• Type of Incident: Theft
• Number Affected: Unknown
• Source: ESI
• Abstract Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Abstract
The University of Pittsburgh is currently investigating the theft of a laptop containing alumni data. The laptop, stolen from the university's College of Business Administration on August 11, contained the names and Social Security numbers of an unknown number of alumni. The university sent out letters to the affected alumni on August 27. According to university officials, the information, placed on the laptop as part of a survey of undergraduate business school alumni, was stored against university policy. University officials declined to say if the employee responsible for storing the information on the laptop would face any disciplinary actions.

Quick Facts

• Date: 8/30/2008
• Institution: Rochester Institute of Technology - National Technical Institute for the Deaf
• Type of Incident: Theft
• Number Affected: 13,800
• Source: Attrition.org
• Abstract Source: WHAM

Abstract
Rochester Institute of Technology began notifying individuals associated with the National Technical Institute for the Deaf after a laptop containing personal information was discovered missing on August 25. According to RIT officials, the laptop contained the names, birth dates and Social Security numbers of the 12,700 individuals that had enrolled in the NTID since 1968. In addition, 1,100 members of the RIT community are affected by the theft as well. RIT officials are working with the Monroe County Sheriff's Department and urge affected individuals to place fraud alerts on their credit files. RIT has setup a hotline - 866-624-8330 - and web site - www.rit.edu/news/?v=46283 - to help answer additional questions about the theft.

Quick Facts

• Date: 8/27/2008
• Institution: Kansas State University
• Type of Incident: Theft
• Number Affected: 86
• Source: ESI
• Abstract Source: KTKA

Abstract
Kansas State University's Division of Continuing Education is notifying students that papers stolen from a parked car contained their personal information. The papers, stolen out of a professor's parked car, contained the names and Social Security numbers of 86 students that had taken Res 200 between Fall 2007 and Summer 2008. K-State is in the process of phasing out Social Security numbers and recently implemented a new student system which no longer uses Social Security numbers as student IDs. The university also plans to launch an education and awareness campaign for faculty and staff on protecting student information.

Quick Facts

• Date: 7/24/08
• Institution: Hillsborough Community College
• Type of Incident: Theft
• Number Affected: 2,000
• Source: Pogo Was Right
• Abstract Source: Tampa Bay Online

Abstract
Hillsborough Community College is warning 2,000 staff members to monitor their bank accounts after the theft of a laptop containing staff information from a hotel parking lot. The laptop was used in as part of payroll project that involved names, Social Security numbers, bank-routing numbers and retirement information. According to the college spokesperson Ashley Carl, the programmer had deleted the information from the password-protected laptop prior to the theft. In the e-mail sent to staff, HCC vice president of information technology R. Bruce Judd asked that the affected individuals monitor their bank accounts and alert their banks and the college about any suspicious activity.

Quick Facts

• Date: 7/15/2008
• Institution: Indiana State University
• Type of Incident: Theft
• Number Exposed: 2,500
• Source: ESI
• Abstract Source: The Tribune-Star
• Update1 Source: WLFI

Abstract
Indiana State University is working to alert more then 2,500 current and former students about the theft of a laptop containing student information. The laptop, stolen from an economics professor while traveling in southern Indiana, contained students names, grades, e-mail addresses, student ID numbers (after 2003) and Social Security numbers (up to 2003) for students that had taken economics classes between 1997 and spring semester 2008. According to the university, there is no evidence of any identity theft but the university urges affected students to place fraud alerts on their credit reports.

Update1
Indiana State University officials announced that the stolen laptop has been returned to the professor six days after it was stolen. The laptop was mailed back to the university by an anonymous individual along with several other personal items that were taken. According to ISU spokesman Dave Taylor, the password-protected computer showed that none of its data had been accessed. However, the university is still notifying students as a precaution.