Notice of Data Event

Notice of Data Event

What Happened?  On October 31, 2020, the School Board of Brevard County (“SBBC”) became aware of unusual activity on its systems.  SBBC immediately began an investigation into this activity and worked quickly to assess the security of its systems.  On January 4, 2021, the investigation determined that twelve email accounts were accessed without authorization prior to September 24, 2020.  SBBC then immediately began a thorough review of the full contents of the email accounts with the assistance of third-party computer experts to determine whether sensitive information was present at the time of the incident.  On March 24, 2021, we completed this review and determined that information related to certain individuals was present in the relevant accounts.

What Information Was Involved?  To date, SBBC is unaware of any actual or attempted misuse of information as a result of this incident. SBBC’s review determined that, while the information varied by individual, it included name, Social Security number, driver’s license/state identification number, non-United States identification numbers, financial account information, credit card information, medical information, and health insurance information.   

What Is SBBC Doing?  Data privacy and security is among SBBC’s highest priorities, and there are extensive measures in place to protect information in SBBC’s care.  Upon learning of this incident SBBC moved quickly to investigate and respond with the assistance of third-party computer specialists. This investigation and response included confirming the security of SBBC’s systems, reviewing the contents of the relevant email accounts for sensitive information, and notifying impacted individuals associated with that sensitive information. As part of SBBC’s ongoing commitment to the security of information, all policies and procedures are being reviewed and enhanced and additional workforce training is being conducted to reduce the likelihood of a similar future event.

What You Can Do.  As a general reminder, we encourage potentially affected individuals to remain vigilant against incidents of identity theft and fraud, to review your account statements and explanation of benefits forms, and to monitor your free credit reports for suspicious activity and to detect errors. Under U.S. law, a consumer is entitled to one free credit report annually from each of the three major credit reporting bureaus, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. To order your free credit report, visit www.annualcreditreport.com or call, toll-free, 1-877-322-8228.  You may also directly contact the three major credit reporting bureaus listed below to request a free copy of your credit report.

Consumers have the right to place an initial or extended “fraud alert” on a credit file at no cost.  An initial fraud alert is a 1-year alert that is placed on a consumer’s credit file.  Upon seeing a fraud alert display on a consumer’s credit file, a business is required to take steps to verify the consumer’s identity before extending new credit.  If you are a victim of identity theft, you are entitled to an extended fraud alert, which is a fraud alert lasting seven years.  Should you wish to place a fraud alert, please contact any one of the three major credit reporting bureaus listed below.

As an alternative to a fraud alert, consumers have the right to place a “credit freeze” on a credit report, which will prohibit a credit bureau from releasing information in the credit report without the consumer’s express authorization.  The credit freeze is designed to prevent credit, loans, and services from being approved in your name without your consent.  However, you should be aware that using a credit freeze to take control over who gets access to the personal and financial information in your credit report may delay, interfere with, or prohibit the timely approval of any subsequent request or application you make regarding a new loan, credit, mortgage, or any other account involving the extension of credit.  Pursuant to federal law, you cannot be charged to place or lift a credit freeze on your credit report.  To request a security freeze, you will need to provide the following information:

1. Full name (including middle initial as well as Jr., Sr., II, III, etc.);
2. Social Security number;
3. Date of birth;
4. Addresses for the prior two to five years;
5. Proof of current address, such as a current utility bill or telephone bill;
6. A legible photocopy of a government-issued identification card (state driver’s license or ID card, military identification, etc.); and
7. A copy of either the police report, investigative report, or complaint to a law enforcement agency concerning identity theft if you are a victim of identity theft.

Should you wish to place a credit freeze, please contact the three major credit reporting bureaus listed below:

You may further educate yourself regarding identity theft, fraud alerts, credit freezes, and the steps you can take to protect your personal information by contacting the consumer reporting bureaus, the Federal Trade Commission, or your state Attorney General.  The Federal Trade Commission may be reached at: 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20580; www.identitytheft.gov; 1-877-ID-THEFT (1-877-438-4338); and TTY: 1-866-653-4261.  The Federal Trade Commission also encourages those who discover that their information has been misused to file a complaint with them.  You can obtain further information on how to file such a complaint by way of the contact information listed above.  You have the right to file a police report if you ever experience identity theft or fraud.  Please note that in order to file a report with law enforcement for identity theft, you will likely need to provide some proof that you have been a victim.  Instances of known or suspected identity theft should also be reported to law enforcement and your state Attorney General.  This notice has not been delayed by law enforcement.

For More Information. We recognize that individuals may have questions that are not addressed in this letter.  If you have additional questions, please call our dedicated assistance line at (877) 565-8854 (toll free), Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time.  Individuals may also contact SBBC by mail at 2700 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Viera, FL 32940.