Lost USB Device Forces Virginia Into Damage Control, Again
Virginia, still managing its way through a troubled outsourcing deal, has a second IT mess on its hands. The state revealed that an unencrypted flash drive containing personal information on more than 100,000 adult education students has been lost.
The flash drive, which was lost after being given to a researcher at Virginia Tech for use in federally mandated research, contained the names, social security numbers, and birth dates of students who used adult education and literacy programs, as well as those who earned a high school equivalency certificate.
So far, there's no indication that the data on the drive has been used illegally or otherwise been compromised. "I know that I speak for all employees in expressing regret over the loss of the flash drive," Virginia superintendent of public instruction Pat Wright said in a statement. Virginia's department of education is committed to assisting and "mitigating any risk" to those affected, Wright added.
