More than 200,000 students’ data breached at Northwest Florida State College

Okaloosa County, FL, United States (4E) – A Florida college announced Wednesday that hackers have accessed the computer data affecting more than 200,000 students across the state including some of the university’s top employees.

Northwest Florida State College reported that the incident involves student data for 76,000 current and former students, plus 200,000 people who qualified for the state’s Bright Futures scholarship program in 2005 to 2007. Also breached were around 3,000 employee’s information.

School officials revealed that about 50 employees, as well as the college’s president, have experienced problems with identity theft.

The school, with 17,000 students, said that information stolen include Social Security numbers and bank details.

Everyone who may be affected is to be notified on the data breach that happened between May 21 and September 24.

The main branch of the school is in Niceville, Florida. It has six other campuses, including one at Eglin Air Force Base.

While the incident is being investigated, individuals who are having issues on their social security number and on identity theft should contact the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov/idtheft or at 1-877-ID-THEFT (438-4338).

A free fraud alert on their credit files could also be done for protection.

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