The personal information of more than 2,000 students enrolled at TAFE SA has been compromised in a recent data breach, the education provider confirmed on Tuesday. The breach exposed copies of driver’s licences, tax file numbers, proof of age cards, and passports used by students to enrol in courses between 2016 and 2021 across all campuses.
TAFE SA CEO David Coltman stated that the South Australian Police (SAPOL) informed the organisation about the breach after uncovering copies of the documents during an unrelated investigation. An internal investigation revealed that 87 per cent of the accessed documents had expired. TAFE SA commissioned an external independent forensic analyst to investigate the matter.
The breach highlights the importance of data privacy and protection, particularly for international students who may face social and legal risks in their home countries.
How do I know if my data has been accessed?
TAFE SA has notified all affected students via email, and email bounce-backs will be followed up with a phone call.
What if my data has been compromised?
TAFE SA has partnered with IDCARE to offer support and guidance on data security for impacted students, who received a code via email for assistance. Additionally, affected students can access TAFE SA Student Counselling Services if needed.
TAFE SA and the South Australian Government will cover the fees of replacements for students needing new documents. This includes:
- SA driver’s licence, learner’s permit and or proof of age card
- Interstate/International driver’s licence, learner’s permit and/or proof of age card
- Passport (Australian and/or International)
This is one of the multiple data breaches Australia has seen in recent months, with the likes of Medibank, Telstra and Optus experiencing breaches in 2022.
Read more: Why International Students Could be the Biggest Victims in Medibank’s Data Breach
