Bit of a data Cock-up at the Library

geeky

Ex-TCD student here, and stumbled on a news story

http://www.qualitybusinessalliance.ie/blog/data-breach-at-trinity-college/

Quoted below for mobilers.

Data Breach at Trinity College

Posted on April 29, 2011 by contentkings No Comments
Students and former students asked to be vigilant.

Former and current students of Trinity College Dublin have been advised to be aware of email scams looking for personal details after reporting a data breach. According to an email sent by Librarian Robin Adams, a file containing student and staff names, addresses, ID numbers and email addresses, which had been provided to the Library, was inadvertently made accessible on the local College network between August 2009 until March 2011. The error was discovered on March 30.

“This information was not accessible through the internet and the College has no reason to believe that your privacy was compromised,” said Adams. “In line with Data Protection legislation the College has reported this incident to the Data Protection Commissioner. We regret that this incident has taken place and for any inconvenience this may have caused you. The College takes its obligation to protect your data very seriously, and we will continue to work diligently to protect your personal information.”

I graduated in 2007 - should I be a bit worried? Or is this a minor deal? Oh, and why in the blue hell has it only gotten out now?

Mark200

Presumably it has 'gotten out' now because the college today sent around an email telling everyone. I'm not too worried...

"This information was not accessible through the internet and the College has no reason to believe that your privacy was compromised"

godtabh

I just got an email about it. What details would they have on record ?

geeky

Well, names addresses, email addresses and phone numbers (?). More than enough to bother me if it were floating around on the big bad internets.

It wouldn't bother me so much if it hadn't been sitting there for the better part of two years. Plenty of people could have stumbled across is then I thought.

Mark200

geeky wrote: »

Well, names addresses, email addresses and phone numbers (?). More than enough to bother me if it were floating around on the big bad internets.

It wouldn't bother me so much if it hadn't been sitting there for the better part of two years. Plenty of people could have stumbled across is then I thought.

It's not much more information than you'd find in a phone book. And the email said that it wasn't on the internet, it was on the local network.

I_am_LOST

I read this is 'Bit of da cock, up at the library'!

Denerick

How much money could we get if every Trinity student organised a class action lawsuit? I need the money to emigrate.

Gae

Mark200 wrote: »

It's not much more information than you'd find in a phone book. And the email said that it wasn't on the internet, it was on the local network.

People have a choice to not be listed in the phone book. Given that it was sitting on the college network for almost two years, anyone could have copied it and posted it online.

tenandtracer

Just got an email from some Nigerian dude saying my library books are overdue and I have to pay a $1,500,000 fine.........

Brando_ie

tenandtracer wrote: »

Just got an email from some Nigerian dude saying my library books are overdue and I have to pay a $1,500,000 fine.........

Awww dude that sucks!!... perhaps if you gave this fella your bank account details he might be able to help you reduce that fine......

Mark200

Gae wrote: »

People have a choice to not be listed in the phone book. Given that it was sitting on the college network for almost two years, anyone could have copied it and posted it online.

Yeah but my point was that so many people have similar information already publicly available without giving it a second thought so I dont see why this is a big deal. Especially since it was only on the local network and they don't think anybody even accessed it...