An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | July 10, 2015

Army National Guard announces data breach; establishes call center

By Kurt M. Rauschenberg National Guard Bureau

Update: ARNG Personally Identifiable Information Breach Incident

ARLINGTON, Va. - Former and current members of the Army National Guard could be affected by a breach of personal information, Guard officials said today.

This incident is unrelated to the breach of federal civilian employee personal information reported last week and on Thursday by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), officials confirmed.

"All current and former Army National Guard members since 2004 could be affected by this breach because files containing personal information was inadvertently transferred to a non-DoD-accredited data center by a contract employee," said Maj. Earl Brown, a spokesman for the National Guard Bureau. The data includes the Soldiers' names, full Social Security numbers, dates of birth and home addresses.

"The National Guard Bureau takes the control of personal information very seriously," Brown said. "After investigating the circumstances of these actions, and the information that was transferred, the Guard has determined, out of an abundance of caution, to inform current and past Guard personnel that their Personally Identifiable Information (PII) was among the files that were transferred."

"The issue was identified and promptly reported, and we do not believe the data will be used unlawfully," Brown said. "This was not a hacking incident, in which the intent was to use data for financial gain. Nonetheless, the Guard believes that individuals potentially affected need to know about the breach and what actions they can take to protect themselves from potential identity theft."

The National Guard Bureau has set up a Web page at http://www.nationalguard.mil/Features/IdentityTheft.aspx and a toll-free call center available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday, which began June 10. The number is 877-276-4729. The Web page provides steps on how to check credit reports, how to guard against identity theft and whom to call if Guard members believe any fraudulent activity has occurred with their personal information. The call center provides information on what to do to prevent, or react to, potential identify theft.

 

 

Related Articles
The West Virginia National Guard’s Army Interagency Training and Education Center Critical Infrastructure Protection Battalion stepped into the national spotlight by hosting its first-ever Critical Infrastructure Protection Workshop, April 8-9 at Camp Dawson, in Kingwood, West Virginia. The event brought together representatives from over 37 states and territories, numerous federal agencies, and all levels of the Department of Defense to address the escalating threats facing essential U.S. public utilities, resources, and cybersecurity systems our country now faces.
West Virginia Guard Hosts Workshop to Address Potential Infrastructure Threats
By Erica Bodker, | April 22, 2025
CHARLESTON, W.V. – The West Virginia Army National Guard recently hosted its first workshop to address possible threats to the country’s public utilities, resources and cybersecurity systems. The Guard’s Army Interagency...

Department of the Army logo
Army Establishes New Fitness Test of Record to Strengthen Readiness and Lethality
By Army Public Affairs | April 22, 2025
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Army announced Monday the establishment of the Army Fitness Test (AFT) as the official physical fitness test of record for all Soldiers, replacing the Army Combat Fitness Test.The five-event AFT is...

Twenty Army National Guardsmen from eight states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands took part in the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) during the Region III phase of the Best Warrior Competition (BWC), held April 21, 2025, at the South Carolina National Guard’s McCrady Training Center in Columbia, South Carolina. Hosted by the South Carolina National Guard from April 21–26, the Region III BWC 2025 is open to all enlisted National Guard Soldiers. Competitors advanced through their state to the regional competition, facing demanding military challenges designed to test their combat skills and doctrinal knowledge. On the opening day of the competition, Soldiers from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, and U.S. Virgin Islands completed the ACFT before moving on to knowledge boards, written essays, and public affairs interviews.
Army Guard Region Three Soldiers Compete for Best Warrior
By Maj. Karla Evans, | April 22, 2025
EASTOVER, S.C. – Noncommissioned officers and Soldiers from the Southeastern United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands gathered Monday to participate in Region Three’s Best Warrior Competition.State Command Sgt...