Marianne Kolbasuk McGee reports: The prospect of class action lawsuits being filed in the aftermath of a major data breach often has more impact on breached healthcare organizations than the potential for fines and enforcement actions by government regulators, says attorney Jeff Westerman of Westerman Law Corp. With all the legal expenses and time involved…
Category: Of Note
Double trouble for JAKKS Pacific: double locked by two ransomware groups
JAKKS Pacific, Inc. describes itself as leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of toys and consumer products sold throughout the world. The firm is headquartered in Santa Monica, California. Its proprietary brands include Fly Wheels®, Perfectly Cute®, ReDo Skateboard Co.®, X Power Dozer®, Disguise®, Weee-Do™ and a wide range of entertainment-inspired products. On December 8, JAKKS…
Hackers stole data from multiple electric utilities in recent ransomware attack
Sean Lyngaas reports: Hackers stole data belonging to multiple electric utilities in an October ransomware attack on a US government contractor that handles critical infrastructure projects across the country, according to a memo describing the hack obtained by CNN. […] The ransomware attack hit Chicago-based Sargent & Lundy, an engineering firm that has designed more…
Ca: Doctor’s records improperly disposed
Patient records from a newly closed medical practice were not properly disposed of the privacy commissioner has ruled. Dr. Lalita Malhotra, who retired earlier this year, failed to have all records shredded by a company that deals in secure shredding and some ended up whole in a recycling facility. “Dr. Malhotra states that she accepts…
ECB Fines Spain’s Abanca for Delay in Reporting Cyber Hack
Reuters reports: The European Central Bank said on Friday it had fined Spanish bank Abanca for its delay in reporting a cyber attack that forced it to suspend its main means of payment in 2019. “The bank’s omission hindered the ECB’s ability to properly assess Abanca’s prudential situation and to react in a timely manner…
CMS Responding to Data Breach at Subcontractor
I cannot remember any other breach where CMS actually issued those affected new Medicare numbers and cards, but it happened in this one: A Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) subcontractor was the victim of a ransomware attack in October. The full press release follows: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is responding…