Healthcare data scare: Impacts of recent cyber breach loom
On February 22, a cyber assault targeted the health technology provider Change Healthcare, causing widespread chaos across the nation. Numerous hospitals and pharmacies faced payment delays, leaving countless patients without access to prescriptions.
The Change Healthcare platform offers a variety of services to healthcare providers including processing claims and payments and appeals management. Change Healthcare operates as a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group, which disclosed the breach was detected on February 21, and affected systems were promptly disconnected.
Hackers are targeting the healthcare sector due to organization’s potential willingness to pay. The attackers gained unauthorized access to Change Healthcare’s network. The Russian-speaking ransomware group known as Blackcat claimed responsibility, alleging they stole more than six terabytes of data, including “sensitive” medical records.
Healthcare data holds immense value and can be sold on the dark web. HealthCare data exposure is particularly detrimental compared to other types of data breaches due to its sensitivity, and cybercriminals are aware of this fact.
If you feel your data may have been compromised, take these steps to take right away mitigate the harm and safeguard your finances:
- Change your passwords
- Sign up for two-factor authentication
- Watch your accounts
- Consider identity theft protection services
- Check your credit reports
- Freeze your credit
To learn more, click the articles below.
Cyberattack Paralyzes the Largest U.S. Health Care Payment System
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/05/health/cyberattack-healthcare-cash.html
Health and human services Statement Regarding the Cyberattack on Change Healthcare
How to Protect Yourself From Identity Theft After a Data Breach
Let’s be careful out there!
The PJ Networks Team
