DataBreaches.Net

Menu
  • About
  • Breach Notification Laws
  • Privacy Policy
  • Transparency Report
Menu

Attorney for doctors in WDH privacy breach disputes AG’s finding

Posted on December 19, 2009 by Dissent

Adam D. Krauss continues to update us on this case:

An attorney for two doctors impacted by the privacy breach at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital says the Office of the Attorney General would have found WDH had to notify patients if the state knew a rogue employee accessed patients’ social security numbers and sensitive insurance policy data.

Charles Grau, a Concord attorney representing Drs. Cheryl Moore and Glenn Littell, said the state based its review on a summary of the audit conducted after the 13-month breach without considering images of computer screens showing the specific data fields viewed by the ex-WDH employee.

The employee accessed more than 1,100 patients records on file at the hospital’s pathology lab about 1,800 times from May 2006 to June 2007 after she was transferred from the lab, the doctors say.

James Boffetti, who leads the AG’s consumer protection and antitrust bureau, said on Thursday that there was “insufficient information” to conclude the breach fits the definition of a security breach as defined by RSA 359-C: 19.

Read more on Fosters.com.

This case is raising a number of questions and is making WDH “look bad” in terms of not contacting patients or families of deceased patients. Even if one gives WDH the full benefit of any doubt as to their motives and determinations, I think this case is a useful reminder that “when in any doubt, notify.” Insider breaches are one of the biggest challenges in security. In this case, where there was no financial fraud, I still think it would have been best for the hospital to notify everyone, reassure them that they were not at any known risk of fraud (if that is a reasonable belief), that their records are being reviewed and corrected, and any other steps the hospital is taking to reduce the risk of a similar breach in the future.

If you give people information, don’t try to minimize, give them a phone number to call if they are concerned or have questions, and are responsive, a breach doesn’t have to leave your reputation damaged. In fact, as I commented about Johns Hopkins on a few occasions, their forthright handling of breaches may actually instill more trust in patients who know that if something happens, the hospital will be “up front” with them.

Cross-posted from phiprivacy.net.

Category: Breach Incidents

Post navigation

← B.C. civil servant accused of sending personal data to U.S. border guard
UK: Reprieve for the dentist who lost 10,000 records →

Now more than ever

"Stand with Ukraine:" above raised hands. The illustration is in blue and yellow, the colors of Ukraine's flag.

Search

Browse by Categories

Recent Posts

  • Almost one year later, U.S. Dermatology Partners is still not being very transparent about their 2024 breach
  • Oklahoma Expands its Security Breach Notification Law
  • Ransomware group Gunra claims to have exfiltrated 450 million patient records from American Hospital Dubai.
  • North Shore University Sleep Disorders Center employee charged with secretly recording patients in restrooms
  • When ransomware listings create confusion as to who the victim was
  • Rajkot civic body’s GIS website hit by cyber attack, over 400 GB data feared stolen
  • Taiwan’s BitoPro hit by NT$345 million cryptocurrency hack
  • Texas gastroenterology and surgical practice victim of ransomware attack
  • Romanian Citizen Pleads Guilty to ‘Swatting’ Numerous Members of Congress, Churches, and Former U.S. President
  • North Dakota Enacts Financial Data Security and Data Breach Notification Requirements

No, You Can’t Buy a Post or an Interview

This site does not accept sponsored posts or link-back arrangements. Inquiries about either are ignored.

And despite what some trolls may try to claim: DataBreaches has never accepted even one dime to interview or report on anyone. Nor will DataBreaches ever pay anyone for data or to interview them.

Want to Get Our RSS Feed?

Grab it here:

https://databreaches.net/feed/

RSS Recent Posts on PogoWasRight.org

  • Florida ban on kids using social media likely unconstitutional, judge rules
  • State Data Minimization Laws Spark Compliance Uncertainty
  • Supreme Court Agrees to Clarify Emergency Situations Where Police Don’t Need Warrant
  • Stewart Baker vs. Orin Kerr on “The Digital Fourth Amendment”
  • Fears Grow Over ICE’s Reach Into Schools
  • Resource: HoganLovells Asia-Pacific Data, Privacy and Cybersecurity Guide 2025
  • She Got an Abortion. So A Texas Cop Used 83,000 Cameras to Track Her Down.

Have a News Tip?

Email: Tips[at]DataBreaches.net

Signal: +1 516-776-7756

Contact Me

Email: info[at]databreaches.net

Mastodon: Infosec.Exchange/@PogoWasRight

Signal: +1 516-776-7756

DMCA Concern: dmca[at]databreaches.net
© 2009 – 2025 DataBreaches.net and DataBreaches LLC. All rights reserved.