FBI Closing In On Culprits Behind Massive Cyberattack On Anthem’s Database
Anthem officials disclosed more information about the theft of personal information for 60 million to 80 million people, including customers who were members of other Blue Cross Blue Shield plans.
Bloomberg:
FBI Is Close To Finding Hackers In Anthem Health Care Data Theft
The FBI said it’s close to finding the hackers responsible for the attack on health-insurance company Anthem Inc. that exposed personal data on about 80 million customers. Federal Bureau of Investigation officials are still deciding whether to publicly reveal information about the attackers in one of the biggest thefts of medical-related customer data in U.S. history, Robert Anderson, the bureau’s executive assistant director for cybersecurity, said Tuesday. (Strohm, 2/24)
The Wall Street Journal:
Anthem: Hacked Database Included 78.8 Million People
Health insurer Anthem Inc. said the database that was penetrated in a previously disclosed hacker attack included personal information for 78.8 million people, including 60 million to 70 million of its own current and former customers and employees. The figures, provided by an Anthem spokeswoman, provide extra detail beyond what Anthem disclosed earlier this month, which was that the compromised database included records for around 80 million people. (Wilde Mathews, 2/24)
Bloomberg:
Anthem Hack May Have Involved Millions Who Aren't Customers
Social Security numbers, names and addresses for millions of people who aren’t customers of Anthem Inc. may have been breached in a massive cyberattack disclosed by the health insurer earlier this month. Anthem, which runs Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans in 14 states, believes information on 78.8 million people was accessed by hackers. Of those, about 60 million to 70 million were customers of the Indianapolis, Indiana-based insurer, spokeswoman Kristin Binns said in an e-mailed statement Tuesday. (Pettypiece, 2/24)
Los Angeles Times:
13.5 Million Californians Affected By Anthem Data Breach
Health insurance giant Anthem Inc. said 13.5 million Californians were affected by the company's massive data breach that was disclosed earlier this month. The nation's second-largest health insurer said a cyberattack had exposed names, Social Security numbers, dates of birth and other sensitive details on up to 80 million Americans. (Terhune, 2/24)
Minneapolis Star-Tribune:
Anthem Data Breach Affects 300,000 Minnesotans
More than 300,000 Minnesotans were affected by the massive data security breach reported earlier this month by health insurer Anthem Inc., and the Indianapolis-based company plans to send letters soon about the incident. (Snowbeck, 2/24)
Reuters:
Anthem Says Hack May Affect More Than 8.8 Million Other BCBS Members
Health insurer Anthem Inc, which earlier this month reported that it was hit by a massive cyberbreach, said on Tuesday that 8.8 million to 18.8 million people who were members of other Blue Cross Blue Shield plans could be victims in the attack. (2/24)
Modern Healthcare:
Anthem Breach Costs Could Surpass Its Insurance Coverage
Insurer Anthem Tuesday acknowledged in a new financial filing that its recent data breach involving 80 million people could result in “significant” expenses that its cybersecurity insurance policy may not fully cover. Some observers were quick to note the disclosure was likely done as a defensive measure by Anthem, trying to alert investors to any and all possible outcomes from the breach to preclude future lawsuits for failing to disclose key financial information. The disclosure was in the company's annual 10-K report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. (Herman, 2/24)
Bloomberg:
Medical ID Theft Increases As More U.S. Health Data Goes Digital
Medical identity theft jumped 22 percent last year as more U.S. health data becomes electronic and easier for cyber criminals to steal from doctors’ offices, hospitals and insurers. Incidents of medical identity theft in 2014 saw almost 500,000 people fall victim to sham companies committing insurance fraud, or impostors seeking free medical care, according to a report released this week by the Ponemon Institute, a Traverse City, Michigan-based data-privacy research firm. (Pettypiece, 2/24)
