Monroe University Data Breach: What Happened and How Affected Individuals Can Seek Justice

There is a rising threat of data breaches in educational institutions, which is why it is so critical for these schools to manage their sensitive data with a duty of care. 

Monroe University recently disclosed that unauthorized intruders accessed its systems in December 2024, leading to the compromise of sensitive personal information for more than 320,000 students, applicants, faculty, and staff.

When a university’s lax security measures lead to vulnerabilities and cause private information to be exposed to harm, and when the university fails to notify others promptly, students, faculty, and other affected individuals can take action to hold them accountable for their negligence.

You can contact Morgan & Morgan for a free case evaluation to learn more about your legal options.

The Timeline of the Monroe University Data Breach

According to the university’s official incident notification, an unknown cyber actor gained access to Monroe University’s computer systems between December 9 and December 23, 2024. During this period, the intruder was able to exfiltrate files containing personal information stored on the network.

It wasn’t until late September 2025 that the university completed a lengthy review of the stolen data to determine exactly what information was involved and who was impacted. Monroe began mailing breach notices to affected individuals in January 2026, more than a year after the initial intrusion.

What Information Was Exposed in the Monroe University Data Breach

The investigation revealed that compromised files included highly sensitive personal data, such as:

• Full names and dates of birth
• Social Security numbers
• Driver’s license and passport numbers
• Government identification numbers
• Medical information and health insurance details
• Financial account data
• Email/electronic account usernames and passwords
• Student educational records

This depth of exposure puts affected individuals at heightened risk of identity theft, financial fraud, and medical identity misuse—threats that can have long-term consequences.

Delayed Notification and Ongoing Risks

One of the most concerning aspects of this breach is the delay between the intrusion and notification of affected individuals. Although the breach occurred in December 2024, Monroe University did not begin notifying victims until January 2026, after the exhaustive internal review was completed. This extensive delay may have prevented those affected from taking timely steps to protect their information.

While the university has stated that it has not yet seen direct misuse of the stolen information, the very nature of the exposed data means that the possibility remains real and ongoing. Once personal identifiers and health information are taken by cybercriminals, they can persist on underground markets and be used for a variety of malicious purposes.

Legal Action: Rights and Remedies for Victims

If you received a data breach notice from Monroe University or believe you may have been affected, you are not without options. Victims of data breaches have the right to pursue legal recourse against institutions that failed to adequately protect their personal information.
 

Why You Can Take Legal Action

Data breach lawsuits often argue that an organization failed to implement reasonable security measures, ignored known risks, or delayed notification of a breach, thereby exacerbating the harm to individuals. In the case of Monroe University, plaintiffs in a recently filed class action claim that the school “failed to adequately protect students’ personal and health information” and violated federal and state data privacy laws.

These lawsuits typically seek compensation for:

• Costs of credit monitoring or identity theft protection services
• Financial losses resulting from fraud or misuse of personal data
• Time and effort spent safeguarding identity and accounts
• Emotional distress and related harms

Class action litigation allows individuals whose data was compromised to join together in pursuing justice and hold institutions accountable for negligence.

Protecting Yourself Today 

While legal strategies unfold, there are immediate steps you can take to protect your personal information:

1. Enroll in credit monitoring and identity protection services. If offered by the university, take advantage of these tools to watch for suspicious activity.
2. Monitor your financial accounts and credit reports regularly for signs of unauthorized transactions or new accounts you didn’t open.
3. Consider placing a credit freeze or fraud alert with the major credit bureaus, making it harder for identity thieves to open accounts in your name.
4. Keep documentation of all breach notices and communications from the university or other entities.

A qualified data breach attorney can help guide you through both preventative and legal options tailored to your situation.

Affected by the Monroe University Data Breach? Morgan & Morgan Can Help 

The Monroe University data breach is a stark reminder of how vulnerable personal information can be when institutions fail to maintain robust cybersecurity protections. If your data was compromised, you may be entitled to compensation, and more importantly, you deserve accountability from organizations entrusted with your sensitive information.

If you have questions about your rights or want to explore legal options after the Monroe University breach, reach out to an experienced data breach lawyer at Morgan & Morgan for a free case evaluation. You should never have to bear the burden of someone else’s negligence.