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Passwords Taped To Election Computers

No Surveillance Video Of Theft; DVR Unplugged

POSTED: 9:16 am CST January 4, 2008
UPDATED: 11:16 am CST January 4, 2008

Unplugged cameras, the lack of round-the-clock security and passwords taped onto computers.

Video: Some Passwords Taped To Election Computers

Those may be some of the reasons that the personal information of 337,000 registered voters is at risk after Davidson County election computers were stolen.

Channel 4 has learned more information as to how thieves were able to get into the building and how easy it could be to get voters’ personal information off the stolen laptops.

Was there security at the building?

Yes, but up until Thursday, it was only round-the-clock five days a week. Security was part-time on the weekends and holidays.

Were there security cameras?

Yes, there are cameras in the building, but the DVR that records the footage was unplugged, so there's no footage of the crime.

"There are security cameras that the taxpayers in Davidson County paid for that are not even operational because somebody unplugged the DVR. That's insane,” said Councilman Michael Craddock.

Did the computers have passwords?

Yes, they did, but the username and password could be right in front of the thieves’ eyes since Election Administrator Ray Barrett says they were taped to some of the lab tops.

The IT department said there was encryption software on the computers, but there was also software on there to view encrypted files even if they had taken that step.

Metro has guidelines for securing data and handling computer information, but the IT director said those are only recommendations, and she can't force people to use them.

The mayor's task force will continue to investigate and then Craddock said there will be changes.


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