Breach, Threat Management, Data Security, Security Strategy, Plan, Budget

Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department reports customer data compromised

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department reported that data of those purchasing hunting or fishing licenses may have been compromised on two separate occasions.

How many victims? Roughly 120,000 people were possibly affected however, only seven may have had partial credit card information compromised.  

What type of information? Names, addresses, dates of birth, conservation ID numbers and partial credit card information may have been compromised.

What happened? In late May 2016, officials learned that on two separate occasions - in December 2015 and again in January 2016 - unauthorized individual(s) gained access to the information of customers who purchased hunting or fishing licenses from the department's website.

What was the response? Officials notified the seven individuals whose credit card information may have been compromised and a few banks. The department also updated its security systems including the implementation of a 20 character password.

Quote: “Those who purchase licenses are not only our valued customers, they also play an essential role in managing wildlife populations, and in ensuring that wild animals, birds and fish remain a part of the State of Vermont into the future,” Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department Commissioner Louis Porter said in the release. 

Source: Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department press release, Commissioner Louis Porter

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