On May 24, 2023, Suffolk University filed a notice of data breach with the Attorney General of Maine after learning that a recent cybersecurity event resulted in confidential student information being accessed or obtained by an unauthorized party. Based on the company’s official filing, the incident resulted in an unauthorized party gaining access to students’ names and Social Security numbers. After confirming that consumer data was leaked, Suffolk University began sending out data breach notification letters to all individuals who were impacted by the recent data security incident.
If you received a data breach notification, it is essential you understand what is at risk and what you can do about it. As we’ve previously reported, data breaches put victims at a significantly higher risk of identity theft and other frauds. However, there are steps you can take to limit your risks, and if it turns out that Suffolk University was negligent in how it cared for your information, the university may be liable to you through a data breach lawsuit. To learn more about how to protect yourself from becoming a victim of fraud or identity theft and what your legal options are in the wake of the Suffolk University data breach, reach out to a data breach lawyer.
What We Know So Far About the Suffolk University Breach
News of the Suffolk University data breach is still fresh; however, what we know at this point comes from the company’s filing with the Attorney General of Maine. According to this source, Suffolk University recently learned about a 2022 cybersecurity event that impacted the security of sensitive student information contained on the school’s computer system.
Initially, Suffolk University responded to reports of unusual activity by securing its system and launching an investigation into the incident with the assistance of cybersecurity professionals. The school’s investigation confirmed that on July 9, 2022, an unauthorized party gained access to the Suffolk University computer system. Suffolk University also confirmed that the unauthorized party stole some of the data. Subsequent investigation determined that some of the files that were accessible and/or removed contained confidential student information.
Upon discovering that sensitive consumer data was made available to an unauthorized party, Suffolk University began to review the affected files to determine what information was compromised and which consumers were impacted. While the breached information varies depending on the individual, it may include your name and Social Security number.
On May 24, 2023, Suffolk University sent out data breach letters to all individuals whose information was compromised as a result of the recent data security incident.
More Information About Suffolk University
Established in 1906, Suffolk University is a private research university in Boston, Massachusetts. Initially founded as a law school, Suffolk University now has more than 7,500 students enrolled on an annual basis. The school offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs of study and competes in 19 varsity sports in NCAA Division III as members of the Commonwealth Coast Conference. Suffolk University employs more than 2,413 people and generates approximately $118 million in annual revenue.
