Baruch College Reports Cybersecurity Incident Affecting Personal Data Security

On March 6, 2025, Baruch College, situated in New York City, disclosed that a security breach may have put the personal information of students, faculty, and their families at risk. This announcement came as a result of a cybersecurity incident that occurred on December 14, 2024, when unauthorized access to certain documents within the college's system was discovered.

Baruch College, a publicly funded institution, emphasizes its commitment to maintaining the confidentiality and security of valuable personal data. As soon as the breach was recognized, the college initiated a thorough investigation to ascertain the extent of the unauthorized access. Moreover, the incident was promptly reported to law enforcement, and steps are underway to enhance security measures and revise existing data privacy policies.

While the college is still evaluating the specific nature of the unauthorized access, officials have expressed that they cannot confirm the exact details of the sensitive personal information involved. However, as a precaution, Baruch has reached out to current and former students, staff, and associated family members whose data might have been affected in any way, highlighting the potential risk to their sensitive information.

In an effort to proactively safeguard those potentially impacted, Baruch College is providing two years of complimentary credit monitoring and identity theft protection services. Affected individuals are encouraged to enroll in these services via the Baruch website, which contains more intricate details regarding the incident.

The types of personal data possibly compromised could include names alongside one or more data elements such as:

- Social security numbers
- Driver's license numbers or government-issued identification
- Financial information including credit or debit card numbers
- Financial account details
- Medical data or information from disability services or counseling centers.

The college strongly advises individuals to remain alert for signs of identity theft and fraud. All affected members are urged to thoroughly review their account statements and utilize free credit report services to detect any unusual activities. Additionally, for those desiring further information on how to protect their identity, resources are available from the Federal Trade Commission.

In light of this event, Baruch College is determined to implement stronger safeguards to prevent a recurrence and to regain the trust of its community.

As concerns about data security continue to grow in our digital age, this incident serves as a potent reminder of the importance of data protection, particularly for institutions entrusted with the personal details of thousands.

For further inquiries, individuals can reach out to Suzanne Bronski, the Director of Public Relations at Baruch College via email.

For updates and ongoing information on this case, the Baruch College website will serve as a primary resource, encouraging everyone to stay informed about their personal data and how to safeguard it in the aftermath of this unfortunate incident.