Consider the plight of Ohio University’s Chief Technology Officer, who just announced that he was resigning his post pending selection of a replacement by a search committee.
Over the past few months, the University announced that there had been several separate breaches of its computer systems exposing 367,000 files which contained Social Security numbers, names, medical records and/or home addresses.
According to an Associated Press story on July 11, Ohio University’s CTO was stepping aside in order to make way for someone with more energy to help the school update its computer system.
Since March 2005 OU has been investigating five separate instances of data theft involving the computer systems of its health center, alumni office, training center for fledgling businesses and the department that handles records for businesses with which the university contracts.
According to the Associated Press, in June the OU Board of Trustees voted to spend up to $4 million to enhance the University’s computer security system.
On June 20th, the university suspended two computer administrators.
As with most universities that have experienced such breaches, OU has put information and tips on its website to help potential victims help themselves.
According to the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, since February 2005, universities nationwide have accounted for almost fifty percent of computer data theft.
Adam K. Levin
President/Credit.com
Former Director of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs
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