A mistake in the IT department at University North Carolina at Charlotte may have put students’ personal information at risk.

Students received an email alert Wednesday afternoon about a possible data breach on campus. School leaders said a “human error” in the IT department made data available to the Internet.

According to the email, the data may include students’ personal information.

An IT staff member noticed the problem.

A UNCC representative said the data in now secure and the breach is under investigation to determine whether any information was actually compromised.

“It’s a little concerning with identity theft going around, and I certainly don’t want my personal information out there for people to take advantage of,” UNCC civil engineering major Matthew Estby said.

School leaders have set up a toll-free number and website for students to get the latest information on the incident.

According to the website, the university first found out about the possible data breach on Jan. 31, although students were not notified until two weeks later. A representative said they wanted to determine the extent of the problem before alerting students.

The school said they also immediately hired a computer forensics firm to help investigate whether any personal information was compromised, and if so, to what extent.

“I think if there’s a security breach, they should notify us immediately and then tell us the steps that they’re going to take to proceed,” Etsby said.

UNCC leaders said the investigation into the possible data breach will take several weeks. If the school determines that any students were put at risk, the students will be notified and receive assistance from UNCC to address the situation.

Source: WSOC TV