As the state workforce development cabinet continues to process held-up insurance claims, they also had to deal with a security breach that could have allowed some claimants to view the identity verification documents uploaded by other people.
On April 22, Governor Beshear set a 48-hour deadline to get all of March’s claims processed and paid. The next morning, the unemployment office was alerted to a potential data vulnerability in the web portal. Workforce Secretary Josh Benton said they took the portal down completely for less than an hour to implement a security patch.
click to download audioGovernor Beshear said he only learned of the data breach last week when he intercepted an email discussing the issue.
click to download audioWhile Beshear said the state has received no reports of identity theft or financial harm, he will be investigating further.
click to download audioThe governor doesn’t think the security breach is a reason for the slow response from the state in processing the highest number of uninsurance claims in state history.
click to download audioThe governor said if your data was potentially breached, you’ll get a notice.
Benton said over 15,000 previously held-up March and April claims were processed this week. The remaining cases are the most difficult ones that need to be processed manually.
click to download audioIn related announcement, the governor said the state unemployment insurance office will be moved to the labor cabinet. He said the change will give them additional staff and leadership.
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