Hacked server contains PHI of more than 1,900 Bayview Dental patients

Bayview Dental has recently discovered an incident that may affect security of some patients' personal information. On Aug. 13, 2019, Bayview Dental of Minnesota started notifying the patients about their data being possibly breached after the cyberattack on Bayview Dental's servers. The hacked server contains Protected Health Information (PHI) of more than 1,900 Bayview Dental patients.

Bayview learned about unusual activity on their servers on May 28 of this year (i.e. 2019). An investigation with help of outside forensic experts was immediately launched by Bayview, in order to determine the scope and nature of this activity.

On Jul. 4, 2019, Bayview Dental discovered that an unauthorized actor possibly had access to their servers. Bayview Dental was further informed by forensic investigators that PHI of some patients might also have been accessed. However, Bayview was not able to confirm whether any information has been copied or viewed by the attacker, but because as there is a possibility, so as a precautionary measure they provided notice to the possibly impacted individuals. Bayview also reported this incident to the appropriate regulators.

Although the investigation is still going on, Bayview determined that the affected patients may have following information exposed: patient names, phone numbers, addresses, dates of birth, medical/dental history information, dental insurance information, and, in a few cases, the Social Security numbers. Bayview is not aware about any actual or attempted misuse of information.

Upon learning about this incident, Bayview immediately has secured impacted servers and started working on implementing additional safeguards so as to prevent future cyberattacks, as privacy along with security of the patient information has significant importance to them. In addition, Bayview continues to provide additional training to their employees on the data privacy as well as security.

Besides, the affected patients should also carefully review notice letter received by them containing information about what they should do, so as to help protecting themselves from the possibility of fraud and identity theft. They should also enroll in complementary identity theft protection and credit monitoring services that Bayview is offering.

However, if still anyone has questions regarding this notice content or ways one can better protect from possibility of identity theft, he/she can call at 866-775-4209 in between 8:00am to 5:00pm CT, from Monday to Friday, excluding the major holidays.

» SPAMfighter News - 8/30/2019