On August 13, 2024, Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Mississippi notified a Maine resident about a significant data breach that occurred earlier in the year. The breach was initially detected on March 11, 2024, after suspicious activity was observed on the college’s network. A subsequent investigation revealed that unauthorized access to the college’s systems took place between March 8 and March 11, 2024. During this period, an unauthorized actor potentially accessed sensitive information, including the resident’s name and Social Security number.
In response to the breach, Copiah-Lincoln acted swiftly to investigate and address the security incident. The college conducted a thorough review of its systems to assess the extent of the breach and identify potentially impacted individuals. Federal law enforcement was notified immediately to aid in the investigation. To assist affected individuals, the college is offering free credit monitoring services through CyEx for twelve months. This service aims to help those impacted monitor their credit for any signs of misuse or identity theft.
The college has also provided detailed guidance to the affected individual on protecting against identity theft. This includes instructions on placing fraud alerts and security freezes on credit files, obtaining free credit reports, and staying vigilant for any signs of fraud or identity theft. Copiah-Lincoln encourages individuals to report any suspicious activity to the Federal Trade Commission, their state Attorney General, and local law enforcement.
Additionally, Copiah-Lincoln is working with state and federal regulators, as well as the three major credit reporting agencies—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—to ensure comprehensive measures are taken to address the breach. The college remains committed to enhancing its cybersecurity protocols to prevent future incidents and is dedicated to supporting affected individuals throughout the recovery process. Copiah-Lincoln’s proactive steps reflect its ongoing commitment to safeguarding personal data and maintaining robust security standards.
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