500,000 Individuals Affected by Airway Oxygen Inc. Ransomware Attack

by | Jun 28, 2017

A ransomware attack on medical supply company Airway Oxygen Inc., in April 2017 may have led to the protected health information of 500,000 individuals being accessed by cyber attackers.

No evidence of data access or theft was found by Airway Oxygen, based in Wyoming,  although it was not possible to eliminate the possibility that information was compromised in the attack.

The attackers accessed to the company’s technical infrastructure on April 18, 2017 and installed ransomware. The part of the network targeted was discovered to contain protected health information including names, addresses, birth dates, contact telephone numbers, medical diagnoses, health insurance policy numbers and details of the services the company provided to subscribers. Financial information and Social Security numbers were not exposed to the attackers.

Upon identifying the cyberattack, instant action was taken to stop further network intrusions and a scan of the entire system was carried  out to search for any additional malware. Passwords for patients, vendors and applications were changed as a precautionary measure. Airway Oxygen has made the incident known to the FBI and has brought in a third-party cybersecurity company to carry out a full investigation to determine how the ransomware was installed and the full effect of the breach.

The incident has led to Airway Oxygen complete an update of its security tools and deploying new security measures to stop future attacks. A firewall review has been planned and a new system has been installed to monitor suspicious firewall activity. That system will send alerts if suspicious firewall activity is detected. The firm will also continue to review its security measures to reduce the risk of future incidents happening.

Affected people were advised of the breach this month and provided with information on the steps they can take to safeguard their accounts and prevent fraud. While the attackers are not believed to have accessed PHI, affected people have been advised to monitor all their healthcare and financial accounts for suspicious activity.

Airway Oxygen Inc., has not revealed details about the type of ransomware involved, the ransom amount demanded by the attackers or whether the ransom was paid in part or in full.

Last year, the HHS’ Office for Civil Rights issued official guidance for covered bodies on ransomware attacks, outlining that a ransomware attack that leads to the encryption of data is a reportable security incident unless the covered body had encrypted PHI prior to the ransomware attack happening or it can be shown, by means of a risk assessment, that there is a low risk of PHI having been accessed, used, disclosed or altered. After the WannaCry ransomware attacks last month, OCR reconfirmed that ransomware attacks are normally reportable incidents.

Raise the level of HIPAA Awareness in your organization with Learner-Friendly, Comprehensive and Affordable HIPAA Training.

COMPREHENSIVE HIPAA TRAINING

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Patrick Kennedy

Patrick Kennedy is a highly accomplished journalist and editor with nearly two decades of experience in the field. With expertise in writing and editing content, Patrick has made significant contributions to various publications and organizations. Over the course of his career, Patrick has successfully managed teams of writers, overseeing the production of high-quality content and ensuring its adherence to professional standards. His exceptional leadership skills, combined with his deep understanding of journalistic principles, have allowed him to create cohesive and engaging narratives that resonate with readers. A notable area of specialization for Patrick lies in compliance, particularly in relation to HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). He has authored numerous articles delving into the complexities of compliance and its implications for various industries. Patrick's comprehensive understanding of HIPAA regulations has positioned him as a go-to expert, sought after for his insights and expertise in this field. Patrick's bachelors degree is from the University of Limerick and his master's degree in journalism is from Dublin City University. You can contact Patrick through his LinkedIn profile:

Raise the level of HIPAA Awareness in your organization with Learner-Friendly, Comprehensive and Affordable HIPAA Training.

Comprehensive HIPAA Training

Used in 1000+ Healthcare Organizations and 100+ Universities

    Full Course - Immediate Access

    Privacy Policy