Digital Forensics Dispatch

Idaho County Enlists Digital Forensic Examiners to Assist in Data Breach

March 2, 2021

Shelbie Harris of the Idaho State Journal recently provided an update on a security breach that affected the Bannock County courthouse in mid-2020. The chief of staff for the Bannock County Commissioners, Scott Crowther, was quoted as stating “On or about June 30, 2020, Bannock County learned that its computer network was potentially accessed by an unknown actor on or about June 22, 2020”.

Upon discovering the potential breach, the county engaged computer forensic specialists to assist in determining the scope of the activity and what data on the systems was affected. The review took place over a number of weeks and the resulting forensic report confirmed that personal data had been accessed and taken by those responsible for the attack.

This prompted further review to identify whose information had likely been accessed so a notification could be sent out to the appropriate parties. This review resulted in the identification of approximately 1,500 people who had potentially been impacted. In mid-February the county began sending out notices to those people along with guidance about how to protect and monitor their identities moving forward.

Exactly what types of personal information was compromised was not disclosed by the county and likely varied from person to person. However, as the breach occurred on the county courthouse’s network, it would seem probable that everything from full names and addresses to social security and driver’s license numbers could have been collected.   

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