The Honourable Joan Burke, Minister of Education, provided an update today on the recent exposure of personal information contained in the online site for student aid.

Based on an initial assessment of the site by the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO), 90 individuals had their information accessed by an unauthorized source. Efforts to contact these people have been successful with all 90 having been reached by phone or through registered mail. Through the special office that was set up to answer people�s questions, 54 calls to the toll-free phone service and six e-mails were received.

Subsequent efforts by OCIO to identify other clients who may have been impacted by the incident of unauthorized access have not been successful as the computer logs are no longer available. The logs are cleared regularly to maintain the efficiency of the system.

"The potential does exist that there could be people, other than the 90 that have been identified, who have had their information accessed," said Minister Burke. "However, OCIO advises that this was an isolated incident and have concluded, through consultation with external security experts, that the number of individuals directly affected is minimal."

The Student Financial Services Division was notified of an incident of unauthorized access on August 22. The site was immediately shut down, the problem was identified and corrected, and the site was re-established the same day. The database is not available to all Internet users, only to authorized users of the student aid site through a username and password. It has been determined that files were accessed during a three-day period by a single individual. An external security firm has reviewed the site and has confirmed that personal information is now secure.

Minister Burke also advised today that the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary has concluded its investigation into the breach. The RNC determined that there is no indication of criminal activity or criminal intent, therefore no legal action will be taken.

"While it is likely that many people have already checked their personal information as a result of our initial notification of the student aid breach, it is important to provide an update at this time so that people are fully informed and can take any steps they feel necessary in light of the student aid breach," said Minister Burke. "I encourage anyone who has questions to contact the special phone and e-mail service that has been set-up for this purpose."

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