1,128 patients’ protected health information has potentially been viewed after an unauthorized individual gained access to the Compassionate Care Hospice Las Vegas (CCHLV) network and server.
The breach occurred on October 28, 2017, CCHLV was alerted that its network had been accessed by an unauthorized person. Upon identification of the breach, CCHLV contracted third-party forensics experts to conduct a thorough review to determine the manner of the breach and to identify all patients who were potentially impacted.
While the investigation showed that access to data was possible, no proof was uncovered to show that any sensitive information was viewed or stolen by the hacker. However, it was not possible to eliminate possible data access and theft with 100% certainty.
The sort of information saved on the parts of the network that could have been accessed included names, dates of birth, addresses, Medicare details, medical treatment data, health insurance credentials and archived electronic health records. Financial data was not stored on the section of the network compromised in the attack and remained safeguarded at all times.
Once access to the network and server had been switched off, CCHLV completed a comprehensive risk analysis to identify potential flaws in the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of PHI and has reviewed and revised network security policies. To ensure that any future cyberattacks are discovered and tackled rapidly, CCHLV has now adapted intrusion detection and monitoring systems.
CCHLV alerted all affected people by mail on December 14, 2017 and reported the hacking incident to the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights. Upon finding the attack, law enforcement was alerted and CCHLV is continuing to help with the investigation.
All patients impacted by the data breach have been offered free credit monitoring and identity theft restoration services for one year through Kroll.