In the Navy case, the two machines were stolen from Navy Recruiting Station offices in Trenton and Jersey City, according to the Navy. "These laptops and several programs on them were password protected on multiple levels and the likelihood of unauthorized access to the personal data is extremely low," the Navy said in a statement.

"However, the Navy is reviewing the data contained in the computers, including personal information on approximately 31,000 individuals." About 4,000 Social Security numbers were included in the data on the laptops. The Navy is in the process of notifying potentially affected individuals by mail.

The laptop in Trenton was reported stolen from the recruiting station in early June, while the one in Jersey City was reported missing earlier this month.

"The Navy is taking a number of measures to better ensure personal information security," the statement said. "In the near term, the Navy sent a message to its commands to comprehensively review all procedures to better ensure personal information is safeguarded."

Lt. Bashon Mann, a Navy spokesman, said Thursday that there is no evidence that any of the data has been used illegally so far. The incidents are being investigated by local police and by the Navy Criminal Investigative Service, he said.