Confidential student information has been confirmed as secure, and steps have been taken to prevent future data breaches after Southwestern Community College inadvertently released an enrollment report that included students’ social security numbers while complying via e-mail with a student directory information request from a scientific research and data analysis company.
All students have been made aware of the breach via e-mail.
“This was the first time we produced this particular report to respond to a request of this nature, and the social security numbers were missed in our initial review of the data file,” said Tyler Norris Goode, spokesperson for SCC. “Today, we implemented new procedures that will prevent this type of mistake from taking place in the future. Although we are confident the situation has been addressed, we apologize to our students and have advised them to remain vigilant by reviewing their financial accounting statements and monitoring their credit reports.”
The request from HigherEd Research was for basic student information such as name, program and dates of enrollment. Although FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) allows SCC to release the information in cases such as this, where college attorneys vetted the requesting party in advance of the information’s release, students are granted an opportunity each semester to preserve their privacy.
SCC officials and attorneys recognized the breach after the e-mail was sent and contacted the HigherEd Research representative to whom the transmission was addressed. The representative acknowledged both over the phone and in writing that he had not yet opened the e-mail. He immediately deleted the file without opening it and sent written, electronic confirmation that he’d done so.
A new file with the required information was then submitted. The college has notified and reported this incident to the Consumer Protection Division of the N.C. Attorney General’s Office.
Students who have further questions or need assistance can call 828.339.4406.
