Breach, Data Security

Unencrypted laptop stolen from Community Technology Alliance

California-based Community Technology Alliance (CTA) is notifying more than a thousand individuals that their personal information – including Social Security numbers – was on an unencrypted, password protected laptop that was stolen.

How many victims? 1,177, Jen Padgett, CEO of CTA, told SCMagazine.com in a Friday email correspondence.

What type of personal information? Names and Social Security numbers are among the personal information.

What happened? A CTA laptop containing the personal information was stolen.

What was the response? An investigation is ongoing. Steps are being taken to address the security of all sensitive personal information and to prevent future data breach incidents. CTA is working to put in place security policies to protect data, including using encryption software and requiring employees to attend regular data security training programs. All impacted individuals are being notified.

Details: The laptop was stolen on July 28 from a vehicle parked in a public garage. CTA administers the Bay Area Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS) and the laptop contained HMIS data.

Quote: “At this time, there is no indication that this was anything more than a random theft of a laptop or that your personal information on the laptop has actually been accessed or misused,” Padgett wrote in the notification letter.

Source: oag.ca.gov, “Important Message About Your Personal Information,” Sept. 25, 2014.

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