VESTAL, N.Y. – A new system at Binghamton University will increase student information security, as students will no longer be required to register for classes and access financial and academic information with their Social Security numbers.
According to vice president for Administration James Van Voorst, the university began implementing the Banner Student Identification System, also called the “B-number,” two years ago.
As of late, the Social Security numbers of about 300 junior and senior accounting students were jeopardized when an employee accidentally sent out an E-mail with an attachment containing their names, Social Security numbers and grade point averages to 288 School of Management students.
The employee intended to send a message to accounting faculty requesting input on student awards. The university sent a letter to students informing them on the situation, adding the message should not have contained “unnecessary information.”
Students whose accounts have been compromised now must answer security questions before accessing their personal information.
