Galloway announces bill to safeguard students’ sensitive information

Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway announced Monday that a bill to safeguard students’ sensitive information is among the first to be filed for the 2018 legislative session.

State Sen. Gina Walsh of Bellefontaine Neighbors prefiled the bill, which would require schools to notify a student’s parents or guardians in the event of a data breach.

“Current state law does not require schools to notify parents if their children or family’s personal information has been compromised in a cyber security incident,” Galloway said. “Unfortunately, there is a market for our kids’ stolen identities.

Galloway said while it is not required by law, some school districts have policies in place that require notification if a data breach occurs.

Galloway has previously focused on efforts to keep Missourians’ information secure by incorporating data security into the standard audit process.

Galloway is currently reviewing ways to better protect electronic data within state government.