I-9, E-Verify and Employer Immigration Compliance Blog

Monday, December 14, 2009

LOOKOUT SERVICES FIRES BACK AT MINNESOTA RADIO REPORTER

Minnpost.com reports on electronic I-9 provider Lookout Services response to the Minnesota Public Radio report on an alleged security breach involving Minnesota state government workers.

Here is the press release from Lookout:

CONTACT: Elaine Morley at help@lookoutservices.net or visit www.lookoutservices.net

BELLAIRE, TEXAS (December 12, 2009) – Bellaire, Texas-based Lookout Services Inc.

(Lookout Services), today announced that limited portions of the company’s proprietary
software may have been illegally compromised by The State of Minnesota and Minnesota
Public Radio.

The information disclosed as a result of the intrusion was limited in scope both by the
amount of data that was accessible and the type of data that was accessible. Lookout has
confirmed that with respect to some data only the Minnesota Public Radio reporter viewed
the data.

Lookout Services’ customers who would like more information about what data the State of
Minnesota and Minnesota Public Radio viewed in Lookout customer's records may contact
us at help@lookoutservices.net for these details. A technical explanation of the portion of
the software exploited as well as steps taken to prevent further intrusions is also available to
Lookout customers.

Given the circumstances, Lookout does not believe that the purpose of the intrusion was for
the purpose of identity theft. However, an investigation may reveal more details about the
exact motives in the weeks and months ahead.

“We have contacted the FBI and other law enforcement officials and we are fully
cooperating with their investigation into this matter,” said Elaine Morley, CEO of Lookout
Services. Lookout Services Inc., filed suit against The State of Minnesota on December 10,
2009. In days prior to filing suit, Lookout Services notified The State of Minnesota with
concerns about conduct of numerous attempts at unauthorized intrusions involving
computers with IP addresses belonging to The State of Minnesota and Minnesota Public
Radio.

“We told the State of Minnesota we were requesting an investigation, due to concerns that
federal laws were being violated,” Morley said. ”After expressing concerns to The State of
Minnesota, the State agreed to instigate an investigation, but we felt that The State of
Minnesota was not taking swift action, so we began blocking IP addresses and shutting
down users.”

Since that time, Lookout Services has refused to grant any users at The State of Minnesota
access to the software.

“Lookout Services will aggressively seek prosecution of those responsible for this egregious
act,” Morley said. “We will not tolerate the illegal disclosure of client information.”
About Lookout Services Inc.

Lookout Services provides fully-customized Web-based form I-9 software and E-Verification
automation to America’s largest companies and government agencies. Lookout Services
Inc., is a Designated Agent under E-Verify and builds proprietary software for seamless Form
I-9 and E-Verify compliance. Lookout Services recommends and installs its proprietary
software behind customer firewalls for added security.

The software provides a proven solution to verifying immigration status and enabling
efficient completion of legal forms to streamline business and reduce cost. The company is
based in Bellaire, Texas. For more information, contact Elaine Morley at
help@lookoutservices.net or visit www.lookoutservices.net.

# posted by Greg Siskind @ 11:40 AM

Monday, December 14, 2009

LOOKOUT SERVICES FIRES BACK AT MINNESOTA RADIO REPORTER

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