Breach, Data Security

Florida juvenile agency loses device containing data of 100k

An unencrypted mobile device was stolen from the Florida agency responsible for handling juvenile delinquency cases. It contained the personal information of tens of thousands of employees and minors.

How many victims? 100,000

What type of personal information? No details are specified other than “youth and employee records,” in a release from the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ). SCMagazine.com reached out to the agency for more specifics, but did not immediately hear back.

What happened? On Jan. 2, the DJJ reported the incident to the Tallahassee Police Department (TPD).

What was the response? Once those affected are determined, the agency will notify them. 

Details: The mobile device was not encrypted or password-protected as is required by DDJ's technology policy, a news release from the agency said.

Quote: “This is an unacceptable lapse that could potentially expose youth and employees to identity theft,” DDJ Secretary Wansley Walters said. “We are working to determine who may be affected by the breach and [to] make sure that all other devices with confidential information are properly protected. We are partnering with [police] to track down the stolen device and have reached out to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).”

Source: www.palmbeachpost.com, The Palm Beach Post, “State investigates security breach at Department of Juvenile Justice,” Jan. 11, 2013.

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