Blythewood, SC (WLTX) - Hackers are trying to steal personal information from the DMV database and most of them are from another country.
"It is cause for alarm for us and our information technology folks," said JR Sanderson.
Since January hackers have tried to get into the DMV database more than 100 times.
"The vast majority of those that came from foreign countries specifically came from China," said Sanderson.
He says its not just addresses and pictures, the database also also holds important information like your social security number.
"If that information were compromised it would be catastrophic for not only us but for the citizens who had their information compromised."
Now the department has turned to other law enforcement agencies for help.
"We have talked to the FBI cyber squad that is here locally in Columbia and they have used our data in a couple of different ways."
With technology changing everyday he says the DMV has to always be one step ahead.
we are on full alert to insure that we are protecting the citizens data."
Knowing that in one hit a hacker could almost instantaneously steal an identity, Sanderson says he will continue to find the money to fight these criminals.
"We have to find ways to fund that technology in order to protect ourselves and our personal identifying information."