University of Florida Breach Potentially Exposes Information Of 97,000 Individuals

Submitted by Adam Dodge on Thu, 2009-02-19 00:00

Quick Facts

Abstract
The University of Florida is working to notify current and past students, faculty and staff after staff discovered a server breach. The "Grove" server hosted course documentation and course documentation containing files with the names and Social Security numbers of up to 97,200 individuals. UF staff discovered the breach on Jan 14 during routine IT system review. The computer was shut down and the UF launched an investigation. While the investigation was able to confirm unauthorized access had occurred, staff were not able to determine if the files containing private information had been accessed. In a letter (pdf) to the individuals affected by the breach, UF calls the risk of identity theft low but suggests people follow FTC guidelines. The University of Florida has created a web site - privacy.ufl.edu/incidents/2009/academic-technology - with more information on the breach.