On July 12, 2023, the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. (“ACEN”) filed a notice of data breach with the Attorney General of Maine. Evidently, ACEN learned that its managed file transfer server was compromised, resulting in an unauthorized party being able to access consumers’ sensitive information, including their names and Social Security numbers. Upon completing its investigation, ACEN began sending out data breach notification letters to all individuals whose information was affected by the recent data security incident.

If you received a data breach notification from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc., it is essential you understand what is at risk and what you can do about it. As we’ve discussed in previous posts, data breaches involving your Social Security number put you at a much higher risk of falling victim to identity theft. This is because other information about you is often available through various sources, and your SSN is often the missing link hackers need to commit identity theft. A data breach lawyer can help you learn more about how to protect yourself from becoming a victim of fraud or identity theft as well as discuss your legal options following the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing data breach.

What Caused the Data Breach Affecting Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing?

The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing data breach was only recently announced, and more information is expected in the near future. However, ACEN’s filing with the Attorney General of Maine provides some important information on what led up to the breach. According to this source, on March 9, 2023, ACEN received an anonymous email from someone who claimed to have gained access to the organization’s IT network. In response, ACEN secured its systems and began working with outside cybersecurity experts to investigate.

The ACEN investigation confirmed that an unauthorized party was able to obtain access to its managed file transfer server between February 6, 2023 and February 27, 2023, which contained consumers’ personal information.

After learning that sensitive consumer data was accessible to an unauthorized party, Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing reviewed the compromised files to determine what information was leaked and which consumers were impacted. ACEN completed the process on June 12, 2023. While the breached information varies depending on the individual, it may include your name and Social Security number.

On July 12, 2023, Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing sent out data breach letters to anyone who was affected by the recent data security incident. These letters should provide victims with a list of which information of theirs was compromised.

More Information About Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc.

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. is a nursing education accreditor based out of Atlanta, Georgia. The company provides specialized accreditation for all levels of nursing education and transition-to-practice programs. Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing employs more than 27 people and generates approximately $5.8 million in annual revenue.