Laptop theft may have compromised student data

SunGard Higher Education has notified Northwest Missouri State University of the theft of a laptop computer owned by one of SunGard’s employees that may have put the personal information of students and former students at risk.

While it is not believed identity theft was the motive behind the incident, which occurred in March on a college campus in New York, Northwest moved immediately to inform those who might be affected.

SunGard Higher Education is an information technology company that has served as a consultant to Northwest for a number of years with regard to the implementation and operation of the University’s Banner and CatPAWS software.

Appropriately shared proprietary University data from 2004, including names, Social Security numbers and financial aid information relating to Pell Grant eligibility for about 1,100 students and former students, was left on the SunGard employee’s hard drive in violation of the company’s security requirements.

University officials moved immediately to notify via e-mail currently enrolled students whose identities may have been compromised. In addition letters are being sent both to current students and those who have graduated or left the University.

Northwest believes it followed all appropriate internal procedures for protecting the privacy of its students. For its part, SunGard Higher Education has accepted responsibility for this incident and is working with the University to minimize any adverse consequences.

SunGard Higher Education provided Northwest with specific information about the incident on Tuesday, April 15, which the University subsequently verified. The theft was reported immediately to law enforcement officials in New York, but the laptop, which was protected by a strong password, has not been recovered.

It is believed the laptop was stolen for the value of the hardware rather than the data.

SunGard Higher Education has made a Web site containing identity theft prevention tips and a toll-free information line available to those whose information may have been compromised.

For more information, please contact:

Anthony Brown,
News Bureau Manager
E-Mail: abrown@nwmissouri.edu
Phone: 660.562.1704
Fax: 660.562.1900

Northwest Missouri State University
219 Administration Building,
800 University Drive
Maryville, MO 64468

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