University of Connecticut Warns Customers on Data Breach

The database contains records of around 18,000 customers and includes information such as names, credit card numbers, expiration dates, customer security number, mailing addresses, telephone numbers and e-mail ids.

Albuquerque,, NM (prHWY.com) January 13, 2011 - Recently, hackers breached the customer databases of HuskeyDirect.com, an online retail site at University of Connecticut. The online retail site is owned by University of Connecticut Cooperative (UConn Co-op) and is managed by a third party vendor.

While the cooperative acts as book store for the University, the affected online retail site sells sports merchandise to students. The database contains records of around 18,000 customers and includes information such as names, credit card numbers, expiration dates, customer security number, mailing addresses, telephone numbers and e-mail ids.

Usually, computer forensics is used to detect the crime trail. In this case, the website and the associated database were taken offline. The hacker gained access to an administrative password and breached the database containing encrypted credit card details. University authorities fear that hacker may have managed to unencrypt the credit card data. University authorities have notified the affected customers regarding the data breach is making arrangements to offer credit support.

Data breach incidents have witnessed surge over the recent years with increase in number of organizations occupying online space. In most data breach cases, it is difficult to establish, whether offenders have misused the data. The affected systems contain volatile information, which may be crucial for investigation. Lack of awareness among employees regarding the first responder procedures can hamper the investigation process.

Data breach may lead to litigations against organizations by the affected individuals. Continued use of the computer system after the breach may lead to overwriting of information and evidence degradation. Proper evidence can help the organizations in identifying the culprits. Therefore, it is important to quarantine the affected systems to protect evidence. Hiring experts who have undertaken computer forensics training may help organizations in tracing deleted e-mails, files and folders to gather legally admissible evidence.

Several institutions offer distance learning programs, which facilitate working IT professionals to update their technical skills and knowledge, without affecting their employment obligations.

EC-Council provides industry training and certification for information security professionals in ethical hacking among many other specializations. "Understanding how hackers exploit these vulnerabilities is a key requirement to hardening software and hardware. That is why EC-Council focuses on ethical hacking as an approach to information security evaluation" as stated by EC-Council's Senior Director, Steven Graham. EC-Council through its Certified Ethical Hacker program has trained such information security professionals from all over the world.

ABOUT EC-COUNCIL

The International Council of E-Commerce Consultants (EC-Council) is a member-based organization that certifies individuals in cybersecurity and e-commerce skills. It is the owner and developer of 16 security certifications, including Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Computer Hacking Forensics Investigator (CHFI) and EC-Council Certified Security Analyst (ECSA)/License Penetration Tester (LPT). Its certificate programs are offered in over 60 countries around the world. These certifications are recognized worldwide and have received endorsements from various government agencies including the U.S. federal government via the Montgomery GI Bill, Department of Defense via DoD 8570.01-M, National Security Agency (NSA) and the Committee on National Security Systems (CNSS). EC-Council also operates EC-Council University and the global series of Hacker Halted security conferences. The global organization is headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Press Contact

Steve Graham
6330 Riverside Plaza Ln NW
Suite 210
Albuquerque, NM 87120
Steve.graham@eccouncil.org
505.341.3228

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Tag Words: customer records, encrypted data, university of connecticut, data breach, computer forensics, distance learning, evidence, litigation, huskeydirect

Categories: Computers

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