http://www.columbusdispatch.com/news-story.php?story=227147 By Randy Ludlow The Columbus Dispatch November 16, 2006 Two Ohio University computer-systems administrators blamed for hacking incidents will receive neither apologies nor their jobs back. Provost Kathy Krendel, rejecting a grievance committee's recommendation to reinstate the men with back pay, has upheld the dismissal of Todd Acheson and Tom Reid. William Sams, departing associate provost for information technology, blamed the pair for the theft of 367,000 files with personal information on OU alumni, students and staff. An Administrative Senate committee, blaming other OU officials for failing to clarify responsibilities for computer security, last month found Acheson and Reid were wrongfully fired. Krendl decided Wednesday to endorse the dismissal of Reid, director of computer and network services, and Acheson, Internet and systems manager. They were fired Aug. 4. While finding neither guilty of intentional wrongdoing, Krendl wrote to the men that they failed to take the necessary proactive steps to protect confidential information. Two Columbus lawyers representing the men criticized Krendl for casting aside the findings of what they said was the only independent group to study the high-profile hacking incidents. The provost has turned this into a kangaroo proceeding, said Fred Gittes, who represents Acheson. He said Krendl's action was designed to cover up the incompetence of OU administrators who made scapegoats of Acheson and Reid. James Colner, who represents Reid, was disappointed that OU officials did not take this opportunity to do the right thing and correct this miscarriage of justice. OU accidentally discovered last spring that hackers had been tapping computer servers at the Athens university, raising concerns about identity theft. An alumni database containing Social Security numbers and other personal information was unsecured for more than a year. Hackers also accessed medical information on students and staff. OU since has reorganized its computer operations amid a security and equipment upgrade that will cost up to $8 million. _________________________________ Subscribe to InfoSec News http://www.infosecnews.org/mailman/listinfo/isn
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