Social Security Numbers May Have Been Compromised At Bridgewater-Raritan Schools

Editor's Note: An earlier version of this story did not accurately portray that sensitive information may have been accessed.

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Names and social security numbers may have been compromised at Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District following a data security breach this past December.

Superintendent Dr. Robert Beers sent out a letter on Jan. 27 to anyone who may have been impacted including former staff members and employees. A former substitute teacher at the district shared that letter with Patch.

This past December an incident involving suspicious activity on the district's computer network took place knocking out phones, email, and computers. Read More: Computers, Phones Knocked Offline At Bridgewater-Raritan Schools

The school's service was restored on Dec. 15 and an investigation was launched by the district. Read More: Service Restored, Rumored Threat Addressed At Bridgewater Schools

Beers said once the district was aware of the breach they "immediately took steps to secure our systems and began the investigation. We also reported the incident to law enforcement."

"The investigation determined that between Dec. 10, 2022, and Dec. 12, 2022, an unauthorized actor may have accessed certain files within BRRSD’s systems used for human resources purposes. BRRSD carefully reviewed those files, and it was recently determined that they contained the name, Social Security number, and/or enrollment selection information for certain employees and individuals on the BRRSD employee insurance plan," according to a release sent out by the district on Thursday.

The letter further goes on to offer those impacted a free one-year membership with Experian® Identity WorksSM Credit 3B - which will help detect any misuse of personal information and provides identity protection services that focus on immediate identification and resolution of any instance of identity theft.

Beers said the district is continuing to take steps to enhance the security of its computer systems and the data they maintain.

Those with questions about this incident were directed to call 877-869-4553, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern, excluding some major U.S. holidays.

"BRRSD takes privacy and confidentiality very seriously and continues to take steps to enhance the security of its computer systems and the data it maintains," according to a statement from the district.

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