On September 15, 2023, Skidmore College filed a notice of data breach with the Attorney General of Maine after discovering that an unauthorized party was able to access the school’s IT network through a ransomware attack. In this notice, Skidmore explains that the incident resulted in an unauthorized party being able to access consumers’ sensitive information, which includes their names and Social Security numbers. Upon completing its investigation, Skidmore 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 Skidmore College, it is essential you understand what is at risk and what you can do about it. As we’ve reported previously, ransomware attacks are becoming increasingly common. These cyberattacks typically result in hackers threatening to release confidential information unless the breached organization pays a fee, or ransom. However, even if an organization pays a ransom, there is no guarantee that the stolen data will not be leaked. 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 Skidmore College data breach. For more information, please see our recent piece on the topic here.

What Caused the Skidmore College Breach?

The Skidmore College data breach was only recently announced, and more information is expected in the near future. However, Skidmore’s filing with the Attorney General of Maine provides some important information on what led up to the breach. According to this source, on February 17, 2023, Skidmore was alerted to suspicious activity within its computer systems. In response, Skidmore secured its systems, notified law enforcement and then enlisted the help of outside cybersecurity experts to assist with the school’s investigation.

The Skidmore investigation confirmed that an unauthorized party was able to access the school’s network. The unauthorized party then deployed a ransomware attack, encrypting portions of the school’s IT network. It was also confirmed that the unauthorized party gained access to certain files containing confidential information belonging to certain individuals.

After learning that sensitive consumer data was accessible to an unauthorized party, Skidmore College reviewed the compromised files to determine what information was leaked and which consumers were impacted. While the breached information varies depending on the individual, it may include your name and Social Security number.

On September 15, 2023, Skidmore College 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 what information belonging to them was compromised.

More Information About Skidmore College

Skidmore College is an independent liberal arts college based in Saratoga Springs, New York. Skidmore College offers its approximately 2,700 students a choice of more than 44 majors as well as membership in over 100 clubs and organizations. Skidmore College employs more than 933 people and generates approximately $53 million in annual revenue.