The University of Pennsylvania (Penn) suffered a cybersecurity breach in which an unauthorized individual infiltrated its network and potentially exfiltrated personally identifiable information (PII) of over **one million donors**. The compromised data includes **donation histories, donor net worth, and demographic details**, though the full scope of misuse remains under investigation. The incident has prompted a class-action investigation by **Lynch Carpenter, LLP**, a national law firm specializing in data privacy litigation, suggesting significant legal and reputational risks for Penn. Affected individuals may be eligible for compensation, indicating potential financial liabilities for the institution. The breach underscores vulnerabilities in Penn’s cybersecurity defenses, particularly in safeguarding high-value donor data, which could erode trust among stakeholders and donors. The long-term impact may include regulatory scrutiny, operational disruptions, and costs associated with remediation, notification, and legal settlements.
TPRM report: https://www.rankiteo.com/company/university-of-pennsylvania
"id": "uni1692816110425",
"linkid": "university-of-pennsylvania",
"type": "Breach",
"date": "5/2025",
"severity": "85",
"impact": "4",
"explanation": "Attack with significant impact with customers data leaks"{'affected_entities': [{'customers_affected': '1,000,000+ (donors)',
'industry': 'Higher Education',
'location': 'Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA',
'name': 'University of Pennsylvania (Penn)',
'type': 'Educational Institution'}],
'customer_advisories': 'Donors whose PII may have been compromised are '
'encouraged to seek legal consultation via Lynch '
'Carpenter, LLP',
'data_breach': {'data_exfiltration': 'Possible (unauthorized access and '
'acquisition of records)',
'number_of_records_exposed': '1,000,000+',
'personally_identifiable_information': True,
'sensitivity_of_data': 'High (PII, financial details)',
'type_of_data_compromised': ['donation history',
'donor net worth',
'demographic details']},
'date_publicly_disclosed': '2025-11-04',
'description': 'An unauthorized person gained access to the University of '
"Pennsylvania's (Penn) network and may have acquired records "
'containing personally identifiable information (PII) of over '
'one million donors, including donation history, net worth, '
'and demographic details. Lynch Carpenter, LLP is '
'investigating potential claims related to this breach.',
'impact': {'brand_reputation_impact': 'Potential reputational damage due to '
'exposure of sensitive donor '
'information',
'data_compromised': ['donation history',
'donor net worth',
'demographic details'],
'identity_theft_risk': 'High (PII exposed)',
'legal_liabilities': 'Lynch Carpenter, LLP is investigating claims '
'for potential compensation; class action '
'lawsuit possible'},
'initial_access_broker': {'high_value_targets': ['donor records',
'financial details']},
'investigation_status': 'Ongoing (Lynch Carpenter, LLP investigating claims)',
'references': [{'date_accessed': '2025-11-04',
'source': 'GlobeNewswire Press Release'}],
'regulatory_compliance': {'legal_actions': 'Potential class action lawsuit '
'(under investigation by Lynch '
'Carpenter, LLP)'},
'response': {'communication_strategy': 'Public disclosure via press release; '
'legal firm (Lynch Carpenter, LLP) '
'notified affected individuals for '
'potential claims'},
'stakeholder_advisories': 'Affected donors advised to contact Lynch '
'Carpenter, LLP for legal review',
'threat_actor': 'Unauthorized person',
'title': 'University of Pennsylvania Data Breach (2025)',
'type': 'Data Breach'}