The Egyptian Health Department (EHD) has reported a data breach affecting 121,995 individuals, including one resident of Maine.
The breach, which occurred on December 21, 2023, was discovered on the same day and has since raised serious concerns about data security within healthcare organizations.
Details of the Breach
The breach was identified as an external system hack, compromising sensitive personal information.
According to Joseph Fusz, Of Counsel at Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker LLP, the breach exposed names and other personal identifiers.
Fusz, who represents the EHD, confirmed that the breach notification was submitted to the relevant authorities, and affected individuals were informed via written communication on July 2, 2024.
The compromised data includes a combination of personal identifiers, which could be used for identity theft.
In response, the EHD has offered all affected individuals 12 months of credit monitoring services through TransUnion, aiming to mitigate the risk of identity theft and provide some reassurance to those impacted.
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Response and Measures
The EHD has taken immediate steps to address the breach and prevent future incidents.
This includes a thorough review of their cybersecurity protocols and the implementation of enhanced security measures.
While the breach has highlighted vulnerabilities, it also underscores the importance of robust cybersecurity frameworks within healthcare organizations.
Joseph Fusz emphasized the EHD’s commitment to protecting patient information and ensuring such incidents do not recur.
“We are working diligently to understand the full scope of the breach and to implement measures that will safeguard against future attacks,” Fusz stated.
The breach has understandably caused concern among the affected individuals, particularly regarding the potential misuse of their personal information.
The EHD’s offer of credit monitoring services is crucial in providing some level of protection and peace of mind.
Residents are urged to remain vigilant and monitor their financial statements for any unusual activity.
The EHD has also set up a dedicated helpline to assist those affected and provide guidance on how to protect their personal information.
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