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Virginia Prosecutor Files Class Action Lawsuit Against Georgetown University Over Data Breach

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published October 21, 2024

By Author - LawCrossing

Virginia Prosecutor Files Class Action Lawsuit Against Georgetown University Over Data Breach



Summary:

A civil class action lawsuit has been filed by a Virginia county prosecutor, Mary Margaret Cleary, against Georgetown University following a recent data breach that exposed the personal information of current and former students. The breach, which occurred due to an internal error, allowed sensitive information to be accessed by unauthorized individuals. Cleary, a Georgetown alumna, is seeking damages, citing an increased risk of identity theft and financial fraud. Georgetown University has acknowledged the breach and taken steps to address the issue.

Georgetown University Faces Class Action Over Data Breach



A Virginia prosecutor has initiated a class action lawsuit against Georgetown University following a significant data breach at the institution, which came to light earlier this week. The breach, reportedly due to a system misconfiguration, exposed sensitive personal data of current and former students, prompting legal action.


Details of the Data Breach


The breach occurred at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., exposing personal information such as Social Security numbers, tax identification numbers, employee payroll data, and other details related to undergraduate and graduate students. Although the exact number of affected individuals remains unclear, Georgetown’s Chief Information Officer, Doug Little, revealed that the breach lasted approximately 24 hours. During that time, the data was accessed by 29 students, both current and recent graduates.


Cause of the Breach: Internal Error


Georgetown University clarified that the breach was not caused by an external cyberattack or a compromise of its security systems. Instead, an inadvertent system setting change allowed unauthorized individuals, who had a school ID, to access sensitive information typically restricted to administrative staff. According to Little, the university has reached out to those who accessed the data, instructing them to delete any information they may have obtained.


Legal Action and Allegations


United States
Mary Margaret Cleary, the plaintiff, who serves as the Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney for Culpeper County, Virginia, and is a 2014 Georgetown alumna, filed the class action lawsuit. The suit alleges that Cleary and other students whose data was exposed are now at heightened risk of financial fraud and identity theft. In her lawsuit, Cleary claims that she is suffering from anxiety and stress over the potential consequences of the breach.


Georgetown's Response and Next Steps


As of now, Georgetown University has not issued a formal response to the lawsuit, and a spokesperson for the school has not provided any comment. Cleary’s attorneys, from the law firm Lowey Dannenberg, also declined to comment at this stage. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages for those affected by the breach.


University’s Mitigation Efforts


In response to the breach, Georgetown University has made efforts to mitigate the damage. Doug Little emphasized that they are taking steps to ensure such a breach does not occur again. The university is reviewing its system settings and access protocols to prevent unauthorized access in the future.


Potential Implications for Students


For many affected individuals, the breach raises concerns about the safety of their personal information. The exposed data could lead to long-term consequences, including identity theft and financial fraud. The lawsuit will likely focus on addressing these risks and holding the university accountable for protecting students' data.


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