Emmanuel College, on January 31, 2024, disclosed a significant data breach affecting nearly 90,000 individuals, filing a notice with the Attorney General of Maine. The breach allowed an unauthorized party access to sensitive consumer information, including names, Social Security numbers, medical records, financial details, and driver’s license numbers. Subsequent to a thorough investigation, the college began the crucial process of notifying all affected individuals through data breach notification letters. Those who received such notifications are urged to comprehend the potential risks and take appropriate actions. Emmanuel College reassures that it is committed to fortifying its security systems to prevent future occurrences.
The cause of the data breach was identified as a recent cybersecurity incident, with Emmanuel College promptly responding by containing the threat and collaborating with third-party data security specialists for a comprehensive investigation. The findings revealed that an unauthorized party successfully accessed segments of the school’s computer network, extracting specific files containing confidential personal information related to both current and former students and faculty. Emmanuel College meticulously reviewed compromised files to assess the extent of leaked information and identify affected individuals, concluding the process on January 16, 2024. While the breach involved varying data depending on the individual, potentially compromised information encompassed names, Social Security numbers, medical records, financial details, and driver’s license numbers.
On the date of discovery, January 31, 2024, Emmanuel College promptly dispatched data breach notification letters to all individuals impacted by the security incident. These letters are designed to provide victims with a comprehensive list of the compromised information belonging to them. In light of the breach, individuals are encouraged to remain vigilant against potential fraud, identity theft, or other malicious activities targeting their sensitive data.
