Laptop theft hits Chicago Public Schools

Security breach latest in long list

The Chicago Public School system has issued a press release saying that two laptops were stolen from its central office Friday that contain names and Social Security numbers of 40,000 current and past employees who contributed to the Chicago Teacher Pension Fund.

The laptops belonged to accounting firm McGladrey and Pullen and its subcontractor, which were doing a review of pension fund contributions.

The school system issued an apology:

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The Chicago Public School system has issued a press release saying that two laptops were stolen from its central office Friday that contain names and Social Security numbers of 40,000 current and past employees who contributed to the Chicago Teacher Pension Fund.

The laptops belonged to accounting firm McGladrey and Pullen and its subcontractor, which were doing a review of pension fund contributions.

The school system issued an apology:

"We sincerely apologize for this breach of security, and we are working around the clock to get the information back in safe hands as quickly as possible." (Read our story rating apologies by other organizations suffering breaches.)

Chicago police have reviewed surveillance video and have identified a suspect, according to the school system's press release on its Web site. A $10,000 award is being offered for information leading to the offender's arrest.

Also last week, the University of California, San Francisco, issued a memo acknowledging that a breach was suspected in March involving a file server located at the University of California Office of the President in Oakland. Some 46,000 current and former students and employees were notified of the potential unauthorized electronic access.

Read more about security in Network World's Security section.