Mayor's Office

MAYOR’S OFFICE CALLS FOR FULL DATA SECURITY AUDIT

Report due by Jan. 11

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Jan. 2. 2008) -

The Mayor’s Office today has directed all Metro departments to conduct a full scale data security audit and report back to the director of Information Technology Services by Friday, Jan. 11.

Several other actions have already been taken as a result of the burglary at a Metro office building during the holidays.

A detailed analysis of the events prior to the burglary is underway through coordinated efforts by several Metro departments to determine what lapses at the Davidson County Election Commission Office occurred to allow voters’ personal information to be compromised.

“We are working diligently to develop directives that can be immediately issued to stop an incident like this from ever happening again in Metro Government,” Deputy Mayor Greg Hinote said.

“At the same time, the Election Commission will be using all available resources to inform those voters whose information was stolen and help them protect themselves from use of their credit or identities.”

Actions already taken include:

  • Metro Legal Director Sue Cain has sent the Election Commission a letter with the requirements for notifying all voters that their personal information was contained on at least one laptop stolen from their office.
  • The Department of General Services is reviewing all security protocols for Metro buildings.
  • IT Services met with the Election Commission staff on Monday and presented a series of recommendations for securing their data.
  • IT Services is preparing a Metro Web site that will contain all information needed for voters to report potential fraud or identity theft.
  • The Metro Police Department is working diligently to identify the burglar(s) and recover the computers. Two veteran detectives from the Central Precinct are assigned to the investigation and have been in contact with pawnshops and other potential locations for fencing stolen property. Anyone with information about the burglary is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 74-CRIME.

For media inquiries contact:
Janel Lacy
(615) 862-6020
janel.lacy@nashville.gov