Broward Health Suffered Data Breach That Exposed Personal Info Of Patients, Employees

FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) – Broward Health suffered a data security breach last October that gave someone access to personal information for patients and employees.

Broward Health did not say how many people were affected.

According to Broward Health, on October 15, 2021, an intruder gained entry to their network through the office of a third-party medical provider permitted to access the system. Broward Health discovered the intrusion on October 19, 2021, and notified the FBI and the Department of Justice. They also engaged a cybersecurity firm to conduct an investigation.

The personal information accessed included name, date of birth, address, phone number, financial or bank account information, Social Security number, insurance information and account number, medical information including history, condition, treatment and diagnosis, medical record number, driver's license number and email address.

"Unfortunately, these kinds of breaches are happening all too commonly," says Adam Coughran, security expert and former police officer.

Coughran says any data breach is of concern, but it does not mean the result is always medical fraud.

His best advice is to pay close attention to your accounts.

"Is someone using your information, is this information appearing in places it shouldn't, and watching your credit record, watching your emails to make sure none of your information is being used without your permission," says Coughran.

The health agency said DOJ requested they delay releasing information about the breach so as not to compromise the investigation. It added they have no evidence that the personal information accessed was misused.

Broward Health says they are taking step to prevent this from happening again.

In response to the breach, a password reset was required and multifactor authentication for all users is being implemented.

Effective this month, there's implementation of additional minimum- security requirements for devices not managed by Broward Health's IT that have access to the system

Those affected are being offered identity theft fraud monitoring.