California Department of Education reports student data breach

The California Department of Education (CDE) has announced a data breach involving the Educational Testing Service (ETS). The unauthorized activity was discovered on September 25 and concerns a secure file containing student information.

Leaked data may include student identification, demographics, education status, disability information, statewide assessment results, and eligibility for specific programs. The CDE noted that Social Security numbers and financial information were not included in the breach.

In response, ETS is developing a new security system and has implemented additional identity protection for its testing services. The CDE is working with the State Board of Education to support affected families, noting that students under 18 may be eligible for minor identity protection services. Notifications to individual families began on October 16 and are expected to continue through November.