Notice of Data Event
September 27, 2024
About the Event
The Trustees of the Walters Art Gallery, Inc. dba the Walters Art Museum (“WAM”) is making individuals aware of an event that may affect the privacy of certain information. WAM is providing notice of the event so potentially affected individuals may take steps to help protect their information, should they feel it appropriate to do so.
What Happened. On November 18, 2023, WAM observed suspicious activity that disrupted the operability of certain computer systems and servers within our network. We initiated an investigation to understand the nature and scope of this event and determined that an unauthorized actor accessed certain files within our network between October 10, 2023 and November 18, 2023. We, along with the support of third-party specialists, conducted a thorough and in-depth review of the files to identify individuals whose personal information was potentially impacted. This extensive process was completed on August 28, 2024. We thereafter worked to notify potentially impacted individuals.
What Information Was Involved? The personal information potentially affected varies by individual but may include name, date of birth, contact information, demographic information, financial information, medical and/or health insurance information, and/or government-issued identification, including Social Security number.
What We Are Doing. The confidentiality, privacy, and security of information in our care are among our highest priorities. Upon becoming aware of the event, we investigated and responded to it, assessed the security of our network, and notified potentially affected individuals. We regret any inconvenience or concern this event may cause. As part of our ongoing commitment to the privacy and security of information in our care, we regularly review and enhance our existing policies and procedures related to data privacy to reduce the likelihood of a similar event reoccurring in the future. We notified relevant regulatory authorities, as required.
What You Can Do. We encourage you to remain vigilant against incidents of identity theft and fraud by reviewing your account statements and monitoring your free credit reports for suspicious activity and to detect errors.
For More Information. If you have questions about this matter, please contact our dedicated assistance line at 1-833-918-7342, Monday through Friday from 8 am – 8 pm CST, excluding major U.S. holidays.