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Data breach in Hampton, Virginia

Posted on Jul 13, 2006 by Tom Fragala

Just remember you read it here first July 11th. Sensitive data was revealed on a computer at Hampton Circuit Court (and so close to the VA data breach). This wasn’t a data theft, this was a computer that sat there allowing access to resident’s sensitive data for God knows how long. My confidential source was Albert Viera of Hampton, VA. Albert wrote me tonight:

BJ gave a reporter my name.  He interviewed me, so it is ok with me if you use my name. 2 reporters told me they would run stories today 07/14.  They are: Andy Petkofsky of the  http://www.timesdispatch.com and Kimball Payne of http://www.dailypress.com (From what I know). BJ told the Hampton Chief of Police what was happening.  The next day the Chief and the Treasurer went to the computer, saw what information was available, and had the hard drive confiscated.  Prosecutions are being considered.

Albert went on to add: Please don't tell people how good looking I am - I don't want those kinds of accolades. 

Update: The Daily Press story is here.
 
Update 2: What measures is the city and/or the court going to take to address this data breach? I recommend a first step of putting up a blog so people with questions can get updates, then ask the media to link to that blog address. Then they need to determine how much data was available and how long it was visible. (It’s probably too much to ask that they kept a log on who access the PC.) After that, mail notifications to everyone effected that they are at risk of identity theft. And offer free services to help those affected. They may want to hire a consultant. (oh, and notify the city attorney).
 
Update 3: This is now a criminal investigation. And apparently this was not just howeowner data but data for anyone that paid any kind of taxes. Here’s the TimesDispatch story. This article has more details. I found it amusing that BJ called the Chief of Police and recited his social security number and that of his wife. That certainly got his attention.
 
Update 4: Apparently, this breach effected over 100,000 people. Brian at About.com has more.
 
Update 5: Possible cover up? See here.
 
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