Security Utah CTO Steps Down Following Data Breach

The executive director of Utah's Department of Technology Services has resigned over a data breach that exposed the Social Security numbers and other personal data of about 280,000 Medicaid recipients.

Utah Gov. Gary Herbert announced the resignation of Stephen Fletcher on May 15.

In a statement, Herbert described various initiatives that are designed to mitigate the risk of similar breaches in the future. The plan includes an independent audit of all IT security systems, the appointment of a health-data security ombudsman -- Sheila Walsh-McDonald -- and a continuing investigation by law enforcement into the recent breach. "The people of Utah rightly believe that their government will protect them, their families and their personal data," Herbert said. "We failed to honor that commitment."