Number of lost state computers nears 500

KURT ERICKSON JG-TC Springfield Bureau

The number of computers lost by state agencies in the past two years is nearing the 500 mark, according to a newly released report.

In a review of financial records covering the two fiscal years, Auditor General Bill Holland found the governor's office had lost or misplaced seven pieces of computer equipment, including some equipment containing data that may not have been encrypted.

That comes on top of earlier reports by the auditor general showing Southern Illinois University and the Illinois Department of Corrections are unable to account for a total of about 490 computers.

In his report on the governor's office, Holland warned the lost computers could result in a data breach.

"Failure to follow up on missing computer equipment increases the risks associated with the potential exposure of confidential information," he noted in the report released Thursday.

Officials within Gov. Pat Quinn's office told Holland they were aware of the whereabouts of one of the computers.

But the rest of the equipment was apparently misplaced before Quinn took office.

Quinn spokesman Dave Blanchette said the computer equipment dated to the era of former Gov. George Ryan and was used by staff members through much of the administration of now-imprisoned former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Blanchette said the items were wiped clean of all data before being taken to a warehouse in 2008.

But, he said, "The items could not be found during an inventory three years later by the governor's office."

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