Florida Department of Education website breached, exposing Social Security numbers

The Florida Department of Education reported a data breach involving unauthorized access to its financial aid website, exposing personal information, including Social Security numbers.Staff discovered the intrusion at FloridaStudentFinancialAidSG.org on Oct. 19. The department activated its cybersecurity response protocols to stop the unauthorized activity, contain the breach and secure its systems. It also notified the Florida Attorney General’s Office, as required by state law.The department is working with the Florida Digital Service and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The incident remains under active criminal investigation.Officials said the breach has not affected current financial aid disbursements, tuition payments, scholarships, grants or student loans administered by the department, and no related delays are expected.“No, your current financial aid is not at risk,” the department stated.To help guard against identity theft, the department recommends that individual