On **May 1, 2012**, the **California Department of Social Services (CDSS)** experienced a **security breach** involving the **In Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program**. The incident occurred during the transit of a package containing **personal information**, which was found **damaged** upon arrival, with some contents confirmed as **missing**. The exact number of affected individuals and the specific types of compromised data (e.g., names, Social Security numbers, medical records, or financial details) remain **undisclosed**.The breach highlights a **physical security failure** in safeguarding sensitive data during transportation, exposing participants of the IHSS program—who often include vulnerable populations such as elderly or disabled individuals—to potential risks like **identity theft, fraud, or unauthorized access to personal details**. While no evidence of malicious exploitation was reported, the **unknown scope of the leak** and the **sensitive nature of the program’s data** raise concerns about long-term repercussions for those impacted. The incident underscores the need for stricter **data handling protocols**, especially for government agencies managing high-risk personal information.
Source: https://oag.ca.gov/ecrime/databreach/reports/sb24-23166
TPRM report: https://www.rankiteo.com/company/california-department-of-social-services
"id": "cal949091725",
"linkid": "california-department-of-social-services",
"type": "Breach",
"date": "5/2012",
"severity": "85",
"impact": "4",
"explanation": "Attack with significant impact with customers data leaks"{'affected_entities': [{'customers_affected': 'Unknown (In Home Supportive '
'Services program participants)',
'industry': 'Public Administration / Social Services',
'location': 'California, USA',
'name': 'California Department of Social Services',
'type': 'Government Agency'}],
'attack_vector': 'Physical Theft/Loss During Transit',
'customer_advisories': 'Public notification issued to IHSS program '
'participants (assumed)',
'data_breach': {'number_of_records_exposed': 'Unknown',
'personally_identifiable_information': True,
'sensitivity_of_data': 'High (personal information)',
'type_of_data_compromised': 'Personal Information (specific '
'types unknown)'},
'date_detected': '2012-05-11',
'date_publicly_disclosed': '2012-05-11',
'description': 'The California Department of Social Services reported a '
'security incident involving personal information relating to '
'the In Home Supportive Services program (IHSS). The breach '
'occurred during transit when a package containing personal '
'information was damaged, with some contents determined '
'missing. The number of individuals affected and specific '
'types of information compromised are unknown.',
'impact': {'brand_reputation_impact': 'Potential (unknown scale)',
'data_compromised': True,
'identity_theft_risk': 'Potential (unknown scale)'},
'investigation_status': 'Unknown (no follow-up details provided)',
'post_incident_analysis': {'root_causes': 'Physical security failure during '
'transit of sensitive documents'},
'references': [{'date_accessed': '2012-05-11',
'source': 'California Department of Social Services Public '
'Statement'}],
'response': {'communication_strategy': 'Public disclosure on 2012-05-11'},
'title': 'California Department of Social Services IHSS Data Breach (2012)',
'type': 'Data Breach (Physical Loss/Theft)'}