Cablevision: Employee Data Lost
By Mike Farrell -- Multichannel News, 7/25/2006 7:07:00 PM
Cablevision Systems said late Tuesday that a computer tape containing personal information of some of its current and former employees was lost in transit between two external vendors.
Although Cablevision did not release how many employees were affected or what type of information was contained in the package, a person familiar with the matter said the computer tape included social security and 401(k) election information for about 13,700 current and former Cablevision employees.
In a statement, Cablevision stressed that the specialized magnetic tape did not include personal data on Cablevision customers.
Cablevision said the tape was lost during a routine delivery, using a nationally recognized courier to its external 401(k) record keeper. The company added that it has contacted law enforcement -- which is investigating the matter -- and it is working with the courier and its 401(k) record keeper to recover the tape.
“Cablevision takes the security of our employees’ personal information extremely seriously, and we deeply regret that this incident occurred,” the company said in a prepared statement.
“While we have no evidence to date to suggest that the tape has been accessed or misused, we are providing current and former employees with resources to monitor their credit as we continue to work with law enforcement, the courier and our 401(k) vendor to thoroughly investigate and resolve this matter,” Cablevision added, declining further comment.
