I received a breaking news e-mail from The Hoya this morning detailing this unfolding story at Georgetown. A hard drive was stolen containing personal information — including social security numbers — of about 55% of the student body, The Hoya reports. No word yet on whether anyone’s identity has been stolen. After about three weeks, the university finally released information about the theft.
The Hoya newsroom (Hatchet file photo)
GW took steps last year to reduce identity theft by creating GWIDs and phasing out the use of Social Security on common documents. But there remains the risk that information could be stolen from University hard drives.
In an interview this afternoon, Executive Vice President and Treasurer Lou Katz said GW has policies in place to encrypt all hard drives containing personal information. “If people follow the rules of the institution it should not happen,” he said.
