Have No Fear, Campus Security Is Here?
Last fall, thieves walked away with a computer containing the personal information of 7,000 CCNY students, triggering a campus-wide nightmare. That breach in security left many students angry and afraid with no one to confide in.But one student took matters into his own hands and created a Facebook group, where fellow victims of the CCNY breach could voice their opinions, share their fears and express outrage at the lack of school safety."This is not the first time personal information of students who attend CCNY has been leaked," said the Facebook page administrator, who chose to remain anonymous. About a dozen very vocal members have joined his group. "I feel the way the college deals with confidential information is absolutely irresponsible."When the incident originally occurred, CCNY officials stated they had no evidence suggesting that any student's data was used for identity theft. On an FAQ on the City College public safety website, officials continue to insist that there have been no reports of identity theft related to the problem--although they "are encouraging affected individuals to consider taking appropriate cautions just in case." One safeguard: an online program that will put a stop on their financial records free for 90 days.These reassurances were not enough for some of the angry students who joined the Facebook page. "They might as well say we [CCNY] screwed up--go fix our mess yourself!" said an angry member of the page. "I think that is the worst way CCNY can possibly handle this issue."Other students have come to terms with what happened. "Nothing is perfect; people have to allow for any problems to arise regardless of how secure or well protected they are," said an undergraduate student whose information was leaked, and prefers to remain anonymous. "Second, the school went and told us what we should do if our information was stolen. If the school did nothing, then that would stink."But, could it happen again? Officials within the security department stated their staff is working on ways to make sure no one walks off with another CCNY computer again. Students and faculty are required to have their I.D.s visible when entering any building within the CCNY campus. Also, I.D.'s that do not have an updated sticker will be confiscated and students will be required to get a new one.When questioned, an official in the security department stated that staff members are required to lock rooms when leaving, and each computer lab has an administrator present and alert at all times.Even as security has tightened, do CCNY students feel safer than before? "I'm, not surprised the security breach happened last year; half the time security isn't doing their job," says Bianca Johnston, a CCNY junior. "They're always engaged in personal conversations, instead of checking for I.D.And," adds Johnston, said Bianca Johnston, "Why are these rules just now being enforced? What were they doing before?"
