Recently, a report came out indicating that hackers had gained access to 21,000 Minnesotans’ personal identifying information in a massive data breach in June according to the Minnesota Department of Human Services. The compromised information includes: Social Security numbers, financial information, medical information, employment records, dates of birth, and more. Letters were sent out to affected individuals this past week.

On Tuesday, Senate legislators held a hearing to discuss the troubling report, in which they questioned representatives from Minnesota IT Services and the Department of Human Services and discussed safeguards to protect further administrative failures.

Following the hearing Senator Mary Kiffmeyer (R-Big Lake) released the following statement:

“The breach and loss of 21,000 Minnesotans’ data by DHS is just another in a chain where the department has failed to take responsibility for their actions and failed to work quickly to protect the people of this state. Instead they took almost 4 months to notify Minnesotans of the risk of identity theft. When Minnesotans entrust the state with their data to receive their health care benefits they do so thinking that we’ll keep their information protected. By DHS failing to act quickly they’ve done the opposite leaving individuals exposed and limited time to secure their data.”

This is not the first time a state agency under the Dayton Administration has allowed such a compromising data breach.

In 2013, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources announced one of its employees accessed the motor vehicle records of 5,000 people without authorization.

That same year, a worker at MNsure mistakenly sent out the names and social security numbers of 2,400 insurance agents.

“Intrusions by hackers are on the rise in this state and across the nation and defense of our personal data is certainly a priority. Unfortunately, when the legislators offered to fund cybersecurity during the last budget cycle, Governor Dayton balked and decided to shift that money into other administrative accounts including pay increases.”

“Hopefully, with a new administration, the legislature can work quickly to increase our security and assure Minnesotans that their data is secure.”