Off-site Data Storage Company Lost Backup Data

Off-site Data Storage Contractor Lost Personal Backup Data

Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOFA) uses Data storage contractor "Iron Mountain" for storing off-site backups of their important data. LOFA was recently notified by Iron Mountain that they had lost a backup media containing personal information of students. Some of the information lost included names, dates of birth, social security numbers, and possibly some financial records.

The backup media (disk, tape, etc) was lost in transit, while being physically transported between the two facilities by a vehicle.

LOFA's Report: http://www.osfa.state.la.us/Notice.htm

Comments:
From what it seems the data was not encrypted. Data stored off-site should be encrypted.
Transferring data off-site in the form of tapes, disks, and other forms of media is not as safe, and cost effective as online backup.
Read more about online-backup