External-Hard-Drive

Roughly 14,000 current and former Midland Independent School District students in Texas may have had personal information after a laptop and an unsecured external hard drive, both containing student data, were stolen from the back of a district administrator’s vehicle.

The laptop and external hard drive were stolen on Jan. 23. The theft impacts all current students seventh graders to high school seniors and former students dating back to 2008. The data on the laptop was coded and password-protected, but not on the external hard drive.

The data included both birth dates and social security numbers. An investigation has been opened with the Midland Police Department and is ongoing. Notification letters are being sent to parents and guardians of impacted students.

The following is a press release from Midland ISD:

Please be aware that Midland ISD is notifying parents and guardians of an unauthorized information release of selected current and former students’ information.

A computer theft caused the information breach, and MISD is working with the Midland Police Department following the incident.

Current and former MISD students’ Social Security numbers and dates of birth could potentially be used fraudulently. MISD encourages students and/or families to place a fraud alert on their credit lines and to contact at least one of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion Corp.).

As the superintendent of schools, I deeply apologize for any inconveniences that may result from the theft. We are reviewing (and if needed – changing) all district-wide safety measures to help further ensure the security of confidential information in the future. MISD prioritizes the privacy and safety of students and families.