Binghamton University Security Breach Investigation

A criminal investigation is being conducted at Binghamton University, after one of WHRW's reporters discovered an unlocked room full of social security numbers and tax forms of former students and their parents.

The discovery of a security breach was announced Tuesday on air at Binghamton University's radio stationWHRW--after one the station's reporters discovered an unlocked and taped open storage room full of private information of students and parents.

"Binders containing social security numbers left on top of filing cabinets, tax forms from the university sent out to employees that were returned to the university because of invalid addresses, and social security numbers and credit card numbers," said WHRW's News Director Robert Glass.

Since the incident a petition has been circulating around campus, where thousands of students have already signed there names, asking for the removal of the campuses chief security information officer.

"It makes me wonder how a state university who is supposed to be here to serve, is causing us a lot of stress," said BU Student, Alex Filiaci.

The news director for WHRW says the storage room was next to one of the most trafficked lecture halls on campus, and anyone could have accessed it.

"To be honest the reporter is a rambunctious sort who likes to explore things, and he wanted to see what was on the other side of the door, that's really it, said Glass."

However, BU Public Relations Director Gail Glover says, the storage room containing the information was at least ten feet off the ground on a maintenance catwalk, and the door had been pulled open.

"The university is threatening trespassing and identity theft for finding these documents," said Glass.

Glover says she doesn't believe identity theft has occurred, but if the unlocked room was discovered on Friday by WHRW, then why wasn't the university notified until Monday.
But Glass says at first, timing wasn't an issue.

"The response from the university at the time was very positive, they were very happy that this was brought forth, yesterday I went to the university administrator and he said I would advise you not to run the story and to seek legal council before you do anything on this, because we are considering legal action against you," said Glass.

Glover says, there is no threat of a lawsuit, but a full criminal investigation will be conducted and the district attorney has been talked to about pressing charges if a security breech did take place.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Binghamton
• University
• Security
• Breach
• Investigation
• WHRW

[happinesson]

it is a negligence on the part of the school management. They should be liable on this.

[CstrzRock]

way to go binghamton :(

[mikesaltzman1]

Ka-ching