[Infowarrior] - OSF To Maintain Attrition.org's Data Loss Database

[Richard Forno]

Open Security Foundation To Maintain Attrition.org's Data Loss  
Database - Open Source
Mon Jul 14 23:20:11 EST 2008

http://attrition.org/news/content/08-07-15.001.html

RICHMOND, VA, July 14, 2008 - The Open Security Foundation (OSF) is  
pleased to announce that the DataLossDB (also known as the Data Loss  
Database - Open Source (DLDOS) currently run by Attrition.org) will be  
formally maintained as an ongoing project under the OSF umbrella  
organization as of July 15, 2008.

Attrition.org's Data Loss project, which was originally conceptualized  
in 2001 and has been maintained since July 2005, introduced DLDOS to  
the public in September of 2006. The project's core mission is to  
track the loss or theft of personally identifying information not just  
from the United States, but across the world. As of June 4, 2008,  
DataLossDB contains information on over 1,000 breaches of personal  
identifying information covering over 330 million records.

DataLossDB has become a recognized leader in the categorization of  
dataloss incidents over the past several years. In an effort to build  
off the current success and further enhance the project, the new  
relationship with OSF provides opportunities for growth, an improved  
data set, and expanded community involvement. "We've worked hard to  
research, gather, and make this data open to the public," says Kelly  
Todd, one of the project leaders for DataLossDB. "Hopefully, the  
migration to OSF will lead to more community participation, public  
awareness, and consumer advocacy by providing an open forum for  
submitting information."

The Open Security Foundation's DataLossDB will be free for download  
and use in non-profit work and research. The new website launch (http://www.datalossdb.org/ 
) builds off of the current data set and provides an extensive list of  
new features. DataLossDB has attained rapid success due to a core  
group of volunteers who have populated and maintained the database.  
However, the new system will provide an open framework that allows the  
community to get involved and enhance the project. "For a data set as  
dynamic as this, it made sense to build it into a more user-driven  
format.", states David Shettler, the lead developer for the Open  
Security Foundation. "With the release of this new site, the project  
can now be fed by anyone, from data loss victims to researchers".

The DataLossDB's mail list will continue to be available to over 1,500  
current subscribers and will accept new subscriptions under the  
Attrition.org banner until a migration to OSF has been completed. RSS  
feeds will also be available under the OSF banner for timely alerts  
about new and updated data loss events. We expect this transition to  
be completed in the coming months without impact to current subscribers.

Open Security Foundation's DataLossDB is an open source community  
project that strives to provide a clear understanding of data loss  
issues and needs your support. Assistance can be provided through  
database updates, project leadership, word-of-mouth promotion,  
financial donations, and sponsorship to assist with the ongoing  
maintenance of the project. "The DataLossDB project provides a  
critical service that enables detailed analysis on the true impact of  
data loss.", says Jake Kouns. "The Open Security Foundation is in a  
perfect position to support the expansion of the DataLossDB project."  
Any entities interested in licensing the database for commercial  
ventures are encouraged to contact OSF.

Open Security Foundation's DataLossDB can be found at
http://www.datalossdb.org/

Press Contacts:

Kelly Todd
Email: kelly at opensecurityfoundation.org

David Shettler
Email: dave at opensecurityfoundation.org

Jake Kouns
Email: jkouns at opensecurityfoundation.org

Brian Martin
Email: bmartin at opensecurityfoundation.org

Open Security Foundation: (804) 306-8412