Chinese Hackers Blamed For Attack That Exposed 4.5 Million Hospital Patients

  • 18 August 2014
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By Eduard Kovacs on August 18, 2014Chinese Group Believed Responsible for Community Health Systems Attack That Exposed Personal Information of 4.5 Million Patients

Community Health Systems, Inc., one of the largest hospital operators in the United States, has suffered a data breach that affects millions of individuals, the organization revealed on Monday. According to the company, the hackers managed to steal the records of 4.5 million patients who were referred for or received services from affiliated doctors affiliated in the last five years. The compromised information includes names, addresses, birth dates, phone numbers and social security numbers.
Financial, medical or clinical information has not been obtained by the attackers, Community Health Systems said. However, the company is notifying affected individuals and offering them identity protection services.
 
SecurityWeek/ full article here/ http://www.securityweek.com/chinese-hackers-blamed-attack-exposed-45-million-hospital-patients

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The following article is a update on Chinese Hackers Attack Exposing Hospial Patients Data
(Why would Chinese hackers want US hospital patient data?)
 
By Martyn WilliamsAugust 18, 2014 08:06 PM ET Medical records data can be a valuable asset, especially in a country where many have no health insurance. IDG News Service - The theft of personal data on 4.5 million patients of Community Health Systems by hackers in China highlights the increasing degree to which hospitals are becoming lucrative targets for information theft.
Already this year, around 150 incidents of lost or stolen personal data -- either due to hacking or ineptitude -- have been reported by medical establishments to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
In the case of Community Health Systems, hackers stole patient names, addresses, birth dates, telephone numbers and Social Security numbers. They did not steal medical data, Community Health Systems said -- but that data can be the real prize in such breaches.
With its high prices and lack of a centralized health system, the U.S. is a lucrative target because in the right marketplace, health records can be worth a lot of money, said John Halamka, chief information officer of the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and chairman of the New England Healthcare Exchange Network.
 
ComputerWorld/ Full Article Here/ http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9250477/Why_would_Chinese_hackers_want_US_hospital_patient_data_

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