NORTH CAROLINA COMPUTER DATA PROTECTION WCNC.com | Local News for Charlotte, North Carolina | North Carolina News: "NC computer chief says data must be protected

11/14/2008

Associated Press

The computer chief for North Carolina government is unhappy with how state health officials are handling personal information data.

George Bakolia told Health and Human Services Secretary Dempsey Benton his agency violated security policies by failing to use encryption to protect data stored on a laptop stolen last month.

The computer belonging to a Division of Aging and Adult Services employee had 85,000 complete or partial Social Security numbers on it when it was stolen in Atlanta. The News & Observer of Raleigh reported Friday that up to three other laptops stolen this year could put people at risk of identity theft.

The division said Friday it has arranged a free credit-fraud alert program for about 52,000 people.