POSTED: Thursday, September 1, 2011 - 6:04pm
UPDATED: Thursday, September 1, 2011 - 7:14pm
EAST EL PASO- El Paso Independent School District’s officials, as well as the FBI told the public on Thursday afternoon that everyone involved in the district has had their information stolen.
Interim Superintendent Terri Jordan said that all current employees and students have had their home addresses, birthdates, phone numbers, and social security numbers breached. Information for some parents have also been stolen, however their social security numbers were never in the system.
EPISD claims no information had been taken from past students.
The district was made aware that their online data system had been breached, after an online monitoring company in New York City discovered the hack. The district admits the information was not encrypted.
Jordan also said there is no evidence that the hacker was able to access payroll or health benefit information.
EPISD Chief Technical Officer, Steven Styles said that they have figured out exactly how the hackers accessed the information, however would not elaborate.
The FBI said that they have had agents working around the clock attempting to find those responsible for the security breach.
EPISD said that they use students’ social security numbers to identify them because that is what is required of them by The Texas Education Association.