As long-time readers know, DataBreaches has occasionally run into difficulties when trying to helpfully notify entities of their data leaks or breaches. In other cases, independent researchers have also reported frustration with trying to get entities to respond to responsible disclosures. More often than not, initial attempts at disclosure are ignored or go to spam…
Category: HIPAA
HHS Office for Civil Rights Imposes a $1,500,000 Civil Money Penalty Against Warby Parker in HIPAA Cybersecurity Hacking Investigation
There is a follow-up to a breach previously reported on DataBreaches.net in December 2018. February 20 — Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced a $1,500,000 civil money penalty against Warby Parker, Inc., a manufacturer and online retailer of prescription and non-prescription eyewear, concerning violations of…
Memorial Hospital and Manor notifies 120,085 people of November ransomware attack
On November 3, 2024, WALB in Georgia reported that Memorial Hospital and Manor had been the victim of a ransomware attack on November 1 that they discovered on November 2. The hospital announced the incident on its Facebook page in a post that is no longer available. But Memorial Hospital and Manor did not appear…
Humboldt Independent Practice Association’s breach notification leaves questions unanswered
On November 11, 2024, Humboldt Independent Practice Association (Humboldt IPA) submitted a breach report to HHS that used a placeholder of 500 for the number of patients affected. All we knew from HHS’s entry was that it was some kind of hacking or IT incident involving protected health information located in email. The California entity’s…
Cover-up Follow-up: Westend Dental starts notifying patients of October 2020 ransomware attack
In December, DataBreaches reported that the Indiana Attorney General’s Office had brought charges against Westend Dental for a number of HIPAA violations. The state had started investigating the dental practice after a patient complained about them not providing a copy of their records in response to a request. In looking into that complaint, the state…
HHS Office for Civil Rights Settles HIPAA Ransomware Cybersecurity Investigation for $10,000
Settlement with Northeast Surgical Group marks OCR’s 10th ransomware enforcement action and 4th enforcement action in OCR’s Risk Analysis Initiative. Today the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced a settlement with Northeast Surgical Group, P.C. (NESG), a provider of surgical services in Michigan, for a potential violation…