From the University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota is providing notice of a recent data incident that potentially compromised the security of some private information that it maintains.
On July 21, 2023, the University of Minnesota learned that a person was claiming to have posted on the Internet in July 2023 certain admissions, race, and ethnicity information held in a University database. The University immediately initiated an investigation and promptly engaged forensics professionals to assess whether the claim was credible and to ensure the security of the University’s electronic systems. After an extensive investigation, the University has determined that a person likely gained unauthorized access to a University database in 2021. This incident has not affected University operations.
Based on the University’s investigation, the incident potentially affected individuals who submitted information as a prospective student, attended the University as a student, worked at the University as an employee, or participated in University programs between 1989 and August 2021.
The potentially affected information may include an individual’s full name, address, telephone number, Social Security number, driver’s license or passport information, University identification number, birthdate and demographic information, admissions applications, employment information, as well as other information provided to the University, depending on the individual’s affiliation(s) with the University during this time period. The extensive investigation showed no evidence that donation, medical treatment, password, or credit card information was in the database.
Examples of information that may have been potentially affected, depending on an individual’s affiliation, are listed below.
Prospective Students (and certain parent or guardian data): Information supplied in admissions or financial aid applications submitted directly to the University or through the standard Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, including student and parent or guardian names, contact information, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, student high school and high school grade information, standardized test scores, demographic information, and family income.
Students: Information related to the individual’s education, including student contact information and parent or guardian names and addresses, student email addresses, Social Security number, student ID number, date of birth, classes, grades, demographic information, insurance policy number, loan data, degree, and diploma year.