Time Warner Discloses Loss Of Backup Tapes

Time Warner Inc. said Monday that a container of its computer backup tapes was lost by an outside data-storage firm during shipment to one of the firm's storage facilities. Time Warner said data on the tapes included personal information on current and former employees, but didn't include personal data on Time Warner customers.

The U.S. Secret Service is investigating the incident and is working closely with Time Warner and the outside data-storage firm. To date, the investigation hasn't found any evidence that the tapes or their contents have been accessed or misused. Time Warner is notifying individuals whose information may have been on the missing tapes.

The episode echoes other recent losses of backup tapes by Bank of America Corp. and Ameritrade Inc.

Time Warner has used the data-storage firm to ship and store computer backup tapes off-site for several years as part of its standard operating procedures for protecting its computerized data, the company said.

"While we have no evidence to suggest the information on the tapes has been accessed or misused," Larry Cockell, Time Warner senior VP and chief security officer, said in a statement, "we're providing current and former employees with resources to monitor their credit reports while our investigation continues."