Over the past decade, organizations of all types – government agencies, banks, corporations, higher education institutions, hospitals and other organizations – have been the victims of repeated hacking attempts.

In July 2013, the University of Delaware suffered a data breach. To help protect those who may have been affected, the University contracted with Kroll to provide credit monitoring and restoration services.

In most cases, organizations that have suffered a breach offer their clients or employees one year of credit monitoring. The University tripled this coverage, offering three years of credit monitoring and restoration services as an extra safeguard for the UD community.

The Kroll three-year service period will end on July 29. Individuals who would like to continue using a credit monitoring service can arrange personal coverage with many different companies, including the three most-used credit reporting agencies (Experian, Equifax, Transunion). In addition, by U.S. law, all individuals are entitled to a free annual credit report.

Over the past three years, the University has identified and pursued several initiatives to improve the security of its systems and the security awareness of its community. Members of the University community are encouraged to explore and adopt best practices for computer and information security in order to protect themselves, each other, and the University from cyber attack.

Every member of the University community should also be alert for and protect themselves against phishing and identity theft scams. A rise in targeted spear phishing campaigns and in the shrewdness of those who launch them pose a real danger to every individual and organization. The University urges all members of the University community to exercise caution when storing and sharing personal information.

More information:

• Original UDaily announcement of end of Kroll monitoring, May 10, 2016.
• Secure UD resources for computer and information security.
• Identity theft protection services, U.S. Federal Trade Commission, March 2016.
• Secure UD information about phishing and online identity theft, April 2016.
• Campus community encouraged to be alert for attempts at identity theft, UDaily, April 7, 2016.
• Questions about the expiring Kroll services: hr-help@udel.edu.