Bright Wood warns employees of possible data breach

There’s been a potential security breach at Bright Wood Corp., Jefferson County’s biggest employer, the company has told its workers.

“Last Thursday, we received a notification of a security breach from Bright Wood Manufacturing,” Andrea Hodges said Monday.

Her son worked at the Bright Wood Corp.’s Madras facility more than a decade ago. Now, a letter from the company, dated Sept 1, states a third party recently accessed personal information.

“Names, birthdates, addresses and Social Security numbers” may have been compromised, Hodges said.

She told her son doesn’t live at home any more, and he’s taking steps to protect himself, but she says she’s talked to several former employees who never received a letter.

Recently updated Economic Development for Central Oregon figures show Bright Wood is the region’s fifth-largest employer, with 915 workers.

But Hodges is concerned for those who may have moved.

“The only reason my son was able to get the letter is because we have the same address,” she said. “There are a lot of people who have worked at Bright Wood in this community who have no way of knowing.”

According to the letter, the breach could affect both current and past employees.

Hodges said she’s talked to at least six former employees who had not heard about the breach. She said she just wants to help get the word out, because the letter also contains resources that must be utilized by Nov 30.

“It tells you how to place a hold on your credit, and what to do if you’ve been hacked. There’s help for you if somebody has gotten in there,” she said.

NewsChannel 21 reached out to Bright Wood for more information about the breach, but has not heard back.

According to the letter, anyone with questions is asked to call 541-475-7799 Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. or email databreach@brightwood.com.