Major Data Breach at Everglades Correctional Institution Exposes Visitor Information to Inmates

TL;DR

A significant data breach at the Everglades Correctional Institution (ECI) in Miami-Dade County exposed the personal information of visitors to all inmates. The incident has raised serious privacy concerns and highlighted flaws in the visitation process. Visitors are advised to take precautions to protect their personal information.

Major Data Breach at Everglades Correctional Institution

The Everglades Correctional Institution (ECI) in Miami-Dade County has recently faced a serious data breach, where the names, email addresses, and telephone numbers of visitors were shared with every inmate at the facility. This incident has sparked outrage and fear among those affected, particularly women, who feel vulnerable to potential harassment or extortion.

Details of the Data Breach

Last week, an email sent by a staff member inadvertently included the personal information of visitors. Inmates at ECI have access to their emails through secure tablets or kiosks, which allowed them to view the leaked data. The cause of the breach—whether accidental or deliberate—remains unclear.

Madeline Donate, a regular visitor to her husband at ECI, expressed her concerns to the Florida Phoenix:

“It’s kind of disturbing when you think about it. The privacy aspect of this is concerning. This is how other inmates get information and can sometimes extort family members and things like that. It’s concerning.”

Another visitor, Jan Thompson, shared her fears:

“What if there’s some inmate that doesn’t like another inmate? And he tells his family, ‘Okay, here’s his wife’s phone number. Call her and tell her if she doesn’t pay and put $500 on my book, I’m going to have her husband stabbed and killed.’ What’s stopping them from doing that?”

Policy Changes During COVID-19

The data breach highlights a flawed policy introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Visitors were required to fill out an application form for each visit, a departure from the previous system where approved visitors could simply show up during visitation hours. Although the pandemic protocols have been discontinued, the application policy remains in place, leading to this breach.

Patrice Kelly, who had previously removed her digital footprint due to a stalker, now faces the exposure of her personal information to inmates. She stated:

“Unfortunately, people in Florida that are at that institution now have my information. I don’t live in Florida anymore, so that’s a good thing. It only takes somebody saying, this is where this person lives.”

Reactions and Recommendations

Denise Rock, executive director of the prisoner advocacy group Florida Cares, criticized the duplicative visitation process that led to the data breach. She urged the Florida Department of Corrections to discontinue the requirement for already-approved visitors to register and release their private information for each visit.

The Florida Department of Corrections has not yet commented publicly on the incident.

Advice for Affected Individuals

To mitigate the risks associated with this data breach, visitors are advised to:

• Be Cautious: Be wary of unexpected communications from unknown numbers or individuals referencing your connection to an incarcerated person. Verify the source before engaging.
• Report Harassment: If you experience any harassment, threats, or inappropriate contact, notify prison authorities immediately and consider reporting to the police.
• Request Removal of Information: Contact the Florida Department of Corrections to request the removal or restriction of your contact details from visitation records and inquire about their preventive measures.
• Limit Personal Information Sharing: Avoid sharing additional personal details publicly on social media or online directories. Use tools like the Digital Footprint Scanner to check what information is available about you online.

Protecting Your Digital Identity

Cybersecurity risks should not extend beyond a headline. Safeguard your and your family’s personal information by using identity protection services.

For more details, visit the full article: source

Conclusion

The data breach at Everglades Correctional Institution underscores the importance of robust cybersecurity measures and privacy protections. As the investigation continues, it is crucial for affected individuals to take proactive steps to safeguard their personal information and for the institution to implement stricter protocols to prevent future incidents.

Additional Resources

For further insights, check:

• Florida Phoenix Article
• Florida Department of Corrections
• Malwarebytes Digital Footprint Scanner
• Malwarebytes Identity Protection