information technology

With Data Breaches Soaring, Community Colleges Launch Cybersecurity Programs

By Peter Medlin • Aug 23, 2019
Photo by Spencer Tritt

More than four billion private records were exposed by data breaches in the first half of 2019.

Illinois residents have seen their fair share of information compromises. In July, the state received a share of the Equifax settlement.

Illinois Tech Chief's Memberships Cost $208K

By • Apr 24, 2017
"170 - Typing" by Flickr User Hillary / (CC X 2.0)

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner's information technology chief has contracted to spend $208,000 in tax dollars for two professional memberships despite the budget crisis, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press.

Hardik Bhatt is Republican Rauner's $145,000-a-year secretary of the Department of Innovation and Technology. He has a $50,000 membership and $29,000 subscription to councils within the Virginia-based executive-assistance firm CEB Inc.

Democratic Comptroller Susana Mendoza has held up some payments, but the state is obligated to pay.

Hackers Expose Illinois Cybersecurity Holes

By Jake Smith • Feb 6, 2017
bluecoat.com

In 2016, the Illinois Board of Elections and the state Republican Party were victims of cybersecurity breaches. But uncertainty lingers as to what the hackers wanted and whether future attacks can be prevented. 

When Tim Soper received a letter from the Illinois Board of Elections in late September informing him that personal data from his voter registration may have been compromised in a cybersecurity breach, he chose to find the humor in the situation.