Rural Utah healthcare provider, Uintah Basin Healthcare, has commenced the notification process for over one hundred thousand individuals following a hacking incident that compromised their health information.
The organization discovered unusual activity on its network in November, leading to concerns that hackers may have gained unauthorized access to or stolen the data of 103,974 patients who received care between March 2012 and November 2021.
Despite the breach, the healthcare center’s spokeswoman, Maigen Zobell, stated that there is currently no evidence of personal or protected health information being misused or targeted.
The affected information encompasses clinical details such as diagnoses, medications, and test results, raising concerns about the potential privacy and security implications for patients. Uintah Basin Healthcare’s primary facility is a 42-bed hospital situated in Roosevelt, a small city in eastern Utah with a population of less than 10,000 residents.
In response to the incident, the healthcare center took immediate action by temporarily shutting down its systems. Initially, it was reported that the breach had impacted the organization’s phone system and network connectivity. Subsequently, Uintah Basin Healthcare implemented several security measures, including a global password reset and the deployment of an endpoint detection and response tool, to enhance its cybersecurity defenses and prevent future breaches.
While the breach has undoubtedly raised concerns among the affected individuals, Uintah Basin Healthcare is actively working to address the situation and ensure the security of patient information.
As investigations continue, the organization remains committed to safeguarding the privacy and well-being of its patients, emphasizing the importance of maintaining robust cybersecurity practices in the healthcare industry.
