Breach, Data Security

Florida International University discovers sensitive database unsecured

The personal information of Florida International University students and faculty members was discovered in an unsecure database that may have been accessible to the public.

How many victims? 19,000 students and 88 faculty members.

What type of personal information? GPAs, test scores and Social Security numbers.

What happened? The unsecured database was used in connection with the College of Education students' E-Folio software application, used to capture students' mastery of state of Florida and national teacher education standards through the tracking of grades, test scores, completed assignments and other data elements. The database has since been secured.

Details: There is no indication that any unauthorized individuals retrieved information from the database.

What was the response? The university is notifying all affected individuals.

Source: news.FIU.edu, News at FIU – Florida International University, " University to notify students and faculty regarding unsecure database,” June 22, 2010.

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