DOR Steps Up Security

As the deadline passes for South Carolinians to enroll in free identity protection, the South Carolina Department of Revenue’s new Chief Information Office and Chief Information Security Officer began their new jobs today.  The Department has not had a permanent employee in either position since last year’s security breach in which 3.8 million taxpayer’s social security numbers were hacked.  A spokesman with the department of revenue says security is the focus of every business procedure or operation within the department.  The department of revenue has instituted a number of security measures following the September breach including the encryption of any social security number in its data base.  The department spokesman also says employee training programs have been adopted to help employees recognize possible security risks.  Last year’s data breach was traced to at least one employee who accidentally opened an email containing malicious software.