CNet is reporting what it calls possibly “one of the largest cases yet of identity theft” – a tape containing personal information on 600,000 current and former employees of Time Warner has been lost:
Time Warner said the mishap occurred on March 22, when data storage company Iron Mountain was transporting its backup tapes to a storage facility away from its offices. The company lost the tapes while in transit, said Kathy McKiernan, a Time Warner spokeswoman.
“The tapes were discovered missing on the same day they were picked up,” McKiernan said. “We launched an investigation, and when we could not rule out foul play, we contacted the (U.S.) Secret Service to investigate.”
I may be mistaken, but I think I’ve seen Iron Mountain’s name in at least one other report like this recently.
No word on whether the tape’s data was encrypted ….
Final note: Time Warner has 600,000 current and former employees????????
Update: Fortune has more info on the data loss. They’re presenting it in connection with an article in their latest issue (sub. required) on data disclosure issues.
Update: Jeff Nolan on the 600,000.