Cabrillo College has begun notifying individuals of a data breach that exposed sensitive personal information after unauthorized access to its network between May 12 and May 14, 2024.
What happened
On January 24, 2025, Cabrillo College began notifying individuals that their personal information may have been exposed due to unauthorized access to the college’s network. The breach was initially detected on May 14, 2024, when Cabrillo College identified unusual activity within its computer network. In response, the institution contacted law enforcement and launched an investigation with the help of third-party cybersecurity experts.
Through this investigation, Cabrillo College confirmed that an unauthorized party had accessed the network between May 12, 2024, and May 14, 2024. The unauthorized entity potentially acquired files containing confidential information belonging to certain individuals. After analyzing the affected data, Cabrillo College completed its review on January 21, 2024, and promptly began sending out notification letters on January 24, 2025.
What was said
According to Pressbanner, the college released a statement saying, “While Cabrillo College has no reason to believe that this information has been or will be misused as a result of this incident, Cabrillo College recommends that potentially affected individuals remain vigilant against incidents of identity theft and fraud by reviewing their credit reports, account statements, and explanations of benefits for suspicious activity.”
"Upon discovering the incident, Cabrillo promptly acted to reinforce network security, notified law enforcement authorities, and launched a comprehensive investigation," the release stated. "To further strengthen our information security measures and prevent future incidents of this nature, Cabrillo College has introduced additional technical safeguards. Furthermore, we are offering affected individuals a complimentary one-year subscription to credit monitoring and identity protection services provided by CyberScout, a TransUnion company."
The college advises individuals to regularly verify the accuracy of healthcare statements and promptly report any unrecognized services or charges to the provider or insurance company. As a proactive measure, individuals should stay alert for potential identity theft by routinely checking credit reports, account statements, and explanation of benefits forms for unusual activity or mistakes.
Why it matters
For affected individuals, this breach means their personal information may be at risk, increasing the chances of identity theft and financial fraud. Those impacted should take immediate precautions, such as monitoring their accounts, freezing their credit, and seeking legal guidance if necessary.
FAQs
What should I do if my information is affected?
Monitor your financial and personal accounts for suspicious activity, consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze, and take advantage of any credit monitoring services offered.
What is being done to prevent future breaches?
Cabrillo College has implemented additional cybersecurity measures to strengthen its network security and prevent similar incidents.
Tshedimoso Makhene
