Atlanta investigates security breach

By Eric Stirgus

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta officials said Friday they are investigating how personal information of about 1,000 current and former city Fire Rescue employees found its way to the Internet.

The information was used on a personal laptop and then accessed by another computer, city officials said in a news release. It included the names, addresses, identification numbers, work assignments, telephone numbers, social security numbers and race and gender of employees, the statement said. The information was leaked several years ago, city officials said.

Interim Fire Rescue Chief Joel Baker and Chief Operating Officer Peter Aman alerted employees late Thursday and Friday.

"The exposure of our members to identity theft is upsetting," said Fire Rescue Lt. Jim Daws, head of the city's firefighter union.

City officials said they discovered the problem during a seminar on security breaches.

Atlanta officials have suggested the current and former workers register for credit monitoring, which the city has agreed to pay for free for one year.