Student data lost on stolen laptop Local mom says board was `cowardly' for leaving parents with nowhere to voice their concerns A laptop containing thousands of Halton students' names, numbers and birthdates-- even their standardized test scores-- was recently stolen, prompting the board to warn all parents of a possible privacy breach. "While we don't believe data contained on the laptop to be damaging or harmful to student safety, we wanted to alert you of the issue," education director David Euale said in an email sent recently, adding the laptop was stolen from an employee between Jan. 23 and 27. "The electronic files that may have been compromised due to the theft of the laptop contained student names, student Ontario Education Numbers, birthdates, and data relating to the EQAO testing results for schools within Halton." The Halton District School Board has about 54,400 students. The laptop contains information on all students who have written a provincial EQAO test over the past five years, meaning anyone from grades 4 to 12. Associate director Jeff Blackwell said the computer was passwordprotected and police believe this "was a crime of opportunity" rather than someone deliberately seeking personal information, as other electronics were also taken. While most data was encrypted, Blackwell said the board could not confirm if the EQAO testing data was. The laptop was stolen away from board property. Georgetown mother Gwen Miron was upset the board sent the email from a "no reply" address, leaving parents with nowhere to direct their questions or concerns. "They way they did it was cowardly," she said, adding that parents are always telling their children to be careful about sharing personal information "in real life or over the Internet . . . then to have the school board turn around and do exactly that, it really ticked me off-- how irresponsible." Miron also wondered why employees are allowed to download such information on a laptop and take it home, rather than keeping it secure on a board server. --Torstar News Service Book by February 28, 2012 and you'll receive: VËË!ÝË ÁÖÄjË#ßË?ÁjÄËÄÍ?ÁÍ~Ë?ÍËÖÄÍË g¤^|yˬjÁˬjÁÄ VË ¬jÍ?ÁßË~Á?ÍÖÍjÄ^ËĬjW?ÍßËÁjÄÍ?ÖÁ?ÍÄ^Ë wjËÝjÄ^ËW?¬?~jÄ^ˬÁjÖËĬÁÍÄË?aË ?WWËMjÜjÁ?~jÄ Ë Prices increase on Feb 29th so book today to save on every 2012 and 2013 Crystal cruise! 7 The IFP · Halton Hills, Thursday, February 23, 2012 LAST CHANCE SAVINGS ASK US ABOUT Additional Exclusive Virtuoso Bonuses on all sailings! Georgetown Cruise-Only Fares apply to new bookings only as of 1/26/2012, and must be booked by 2/28/2012. Cruise-Only Fares are per person in U.S. dollars, double occupancy and do not include cruise port, security and handling charges of $200-1,965. All offers may not be combinable with other promotions, apply to first two full-fare guests in stateroom or suite, are capacity-controlled, subject to availability and may be withdrawn or changed at any time without notice. 905-873-2000 328 Guelph St. Georgetown, ON TICO Reg #50018501 Open Saturdays 9am - 4pm w w w. v i s i o n 2 0 0 0 t r a v e l . c o m n w o t e g r Geo Fitness p m a c t o o B Join i our 1000 calorie l i b burn challenge! h ll www.georgetownfitnessbootcamp.com Homeowners! Call NOW for FAST, EASY CASH! As of February 2012, OAC "With one phone call our payments dropped over $900 per month even with our bad credit. Thanks Michael!" D.W. - Caledon, Ontario Your mortgage isn't DONE, till you talk to ANDERSON! Call Michael Anderson 24-7 TOLL FREE 1-888-792-9278 Or send him a confidential message at www.DiamondAnderson.ca