MSNBC gives us a look at a scary wildlife incident in South African waters. Neither the whale nor the sailors were injured.
The boat was severely damaged but did not sink.
SSN Breach to 1987
Unfortunate news for Buena Vista University in BusinessWeek:
A northwestern Iowa university has reported a data breach on campus records which could include Social Security numbers of students and staff dating back to 1987.
Although the period is long the University claims it could affect fewer than 100K people. The question is what student and staff records system would keep SSN records going back 23 years? Tape backup? Were staff still identified only by their SSN in the financial system? Even in cases where records for minors must be retained that gives a maximum of 21 years for retention.
Europe to Get Breach Reporting Law
ZiffDavis in the UK reports that Europe will soon have a data breach reporting law
A law forcing all organisations to publically declare data breaches is expected to be in place in the UK within four years.
According to lawyers at law firm Field Fisher Waterhouse (FFW), legislation requiring organisations to notify the relevant authorities as well as individuals affected in the event of a serious security breach involving personal data will be introduced across Europe.
New Formaldehyde Law
The Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products Act (S.1660) passed both houses of US Congress with bipartisan support and was signed into law July 7.
Woodshop News explains what this means for wood products in America:
[The Act] amends the Toxic Substances Control Act to make the formaldehyde emission standard contained in the California Code of Regulations (relating to an airborne toxic control measure to reduce formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products, as in effect on July 28, 2009) applicable to hardwood plywood, medium-density fiberboard and particleboard sold, supplied, offered for sale, or manufactured in the United States, with listed exemptions, including for hardboard, structural plywood, wood packaging and composite wood products used inside new vehicles, railcars, boats, aerospace craft or aircraft.
The movement for national regulation really picked up steam when tens of thousands of families became ill in temporary housing after Hurricane Katrina. An investigation by the Sierra Club in Mississippi found formaldehyde to be the culprit. Interesting to note that the bill was led by republicans and democrats from Minnesota, Idaho, California and Michigan, rather than from the states of the families who became ill.