Grades of past Geographic Information Systems students stolen
Posted on Friday, April 29th, 2016
A hard drive containing names and grades of past students in the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) program was stolen from an Algonquin College professor’s car on April 8, 2016. The Ottawa Police Service has been notified of the theft.
This unencrypted hard drive contained the names and grades of approximately 474 students enrolled in the GIS program from 2005 to 2016. This includes students who undertook GIS courses 4204, GIS and 4304. A subset of the students who undertook GIS course 1003 – 43 students in total – also had their phone numbers, personal and college email addresses, and student numbers compromised.
The College is sending detailed letters to the 474 potentially affected students via their College email account and by sending written letters to their last known street address. Concerned individuals can call the toll-free help line set up for this incident at 1-844-853-0326 or by sending an email query to icthelp@algonquincollege.com.
Algonquin College is covering the cost of credit bureau monitoring and identity theft protection for two years for potentially affected students. The College has also notified the Information and Privacy Commissioner (IPC) of Ontario of this matter.
The College is taking the matter seriously, and sincerely regrets that this occurred. The College is reaching out to all affected students whose personal information was compromised, and reminding our staff about the various resources available to keep sensitive College data safe.
How did this happen?
On approximately April 8, 2016, an Algonquin College Professor’s briefcase was stolen from his personal vehicle. The theft was reported to the Ottawa Police Service. In the briefcase was an unencrypted external hard drive that contained student names and course grades from approximately 474 students in the Geographic Information Systems program that attended Algonquin College from 2005-2016.
How long have you known?
We were made aware of this incident shortly after it occurred on April 8, 2016.
Why did it take so long for you to notify?
The incident occurred on approximately April 8, 2016. We sent out information advisories via email and regular mail to all applicants that were impacted within ten (10) business days.
What personal information was involved?
For the majority of affected students, the personal information that was stolen was the following:
- Last Name
- First name or First name initial
- Various course grades including final grade.
The information sent did not include phone number, street address, birth date, social insurance number, personal health information, account user ID or password, banking information or credit card information.
In a small number of cases that applies only to students that took course GIS1003, the information also included student ID number, telephone number, Algonquin College email address, personal email address, and course taken.
Who received my personal information?
The information was stored on an unencrypted hard drive that was stolen out of a professor’s vehicle.
Does this affect course grades?
No. Course grades remain unchanged.
Did the College lose my course results?
No. The College still has your master copy course grades stored in our central system.
Are changes being made to ensure this does not re-occur?
Yes. This was an isolated incident. We take our role in safeguarding personal information very seriously. We are also committed to implementing the necessary remediation steps to minimize the possibility of future incidents of this nature.
Have you had reports of identity theft related to this incident?
No. We have not received any reports of identity theft or other misuse.
I did not receive an email or notification letter. Does this mean my personal information was not affected?
If you are not on our list of approximately 474 students, then this does not affect you.
I know someone who didn’t receive an email or notification letter.
Please have them contact us soonest so we can send them the appropriate information.
Did you call the police?
Yes. The Ottawa Police Service was notified.
Should I be concerned?
We have uncovered no evidence of misuse. However, we advise that the affected take the precautions set out in the letter that was sent to them.
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