Today Champlain College notified potentially impacted students that a portable storage device containing names, Social Security numbers, and other information provided to the college’s admissions and financial aid offices was inadvertently left in a campus computer lab. The college said has no evidence of any attempted or actual misuse of the information stored on the device, but out of an abundance of caution notified those potentially impacted of steps they can take to monitor their identity, financial accounts, and credit, should they feel it is necessary to do so.
Once the drive was returned to the information systems department, the college launched an internal investigation, retained independent forensics experts and hired privacy and data security legal counsel to assist with the investigation of, and response to, this incident. It is also adopting additional data collection and transfer protocols.
‘Our goal is to be forthcoming with the truth and to arm members of our community with resources to prevent potential identity theft,’stated Vice President David J. Provost. ‘We are working to make sure this type of incident doesn’t happen again and live up to the expectations parents and students have of us to keep their information safe. We are committed to getting this right.’
The device included 14,217 social security numbers of students who applied for admission. The majority of the individuals impacted applied for traditional undergraduate admission for Fall 2010, through applications submitted in February 2013 for Fall 2013. In addition, a small sampling of graduate and Continuing Professional Studies students may also be affected.
Students and parents potentially impacted are being offered one year of identity monitoring services by First Watch Technologies, Inc, paid for by the college.
In addition, the college has created a website, www.champlain.edu/notification-info which contains further information, resources and frequently asked questions concerning this incident.
Champlain also established a confidential inquiry line, staffed with professionals trained in identity and credit protection and restoration and familiar with this incident, to assist the students and parents impacted. The confidential inquiry line can be reached Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST, at 877-643-2062