Data Breach: The Student Leak
Context
A small data breach exposes student information. Public disclosure risks reputational damage; keeping it quiet risks greater backlash if discovered.
Dilemma
Do you:
A) Disclose the breach transparently, or
B) Try to contain the situation and avoid public disclosure?
Summary
Pearson, a British educational publisher, suffered a data breach affecting over 13,000 students due to a vulnerability in its system. The FBI informed Pearson of the breach in March 2019, though it occurred in late 2018. The breach exposed names, birthdates, and emails but not Social Security or financial data. While Pearson addressed the vulnerability and shut down the system, it denied the closure was due to the breach. The company alerted affected individuals, apologized, and offered free credit monitoring, emphasizing its commitment to data protection despite no evidence of misuse.
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| Last modified: | 10 April 2025 4.09 p.m. |