The Greatest Risk For Identity Theft: Your Doctor’s Office?
As news continues to swirl around the recent cyberattack on the health insurer Anthem, more information is emerging about the value of health data on the black market, about the laws in place to protect against breaches of personal health information and about the review underway in New York to tighten up the system.
The Associated Press:
Is Your Doctor's Office The Most Dangerous Place For Data?
Everyone worries about stolen credit cards or hacked bank accounts, but just visiting the doctor may put you at greater risk for identity fraud. Those medical forms you give the receptionist and send to your health insurer provide fertile ground for criminals looking to steal your identity, since health care businesses can lag far behind banks and credit card companies in protecting sensitive information. The names, birthdates and — most importantly — Social Security numbers detailed on those forms can help hackers open fake credit lines, file false tax returns and create fake medical records. (Murphy and Bailey, 2/9)
Los Angeles Times:
Spending On Cyberattack Insurance Soars As Hacks Become More Common
Hackers are wreaking havoc on big organizations, but they're also spurring a new market — cyberattack liability insurance. Once-complacent businesses, stung by debilitating cyberattacks at Target Corp., JPMorgan Chase Co. and other well-known companies, are on a cyberattack insurance shopping spree. "Everyone's swamped with new applications," said Nick Economidis, an underwriter at cyberattack insurance provider Beazley Group. The hack of health insurer Anthem Inc.'s computer system — a breach disclosed last week affecting up to 80 million customers — is bound to create more demand. (Panzar and Dave, 2/9)
Politico Pro:
Cyber Laws Would Not Have Stopped Anthem Hack
Lawmakers reacted to the latest massive data breach at health insurer Anthem with statements stressing the importance of passing cybersecurity legislation. The catch? Nothing on the table in Washington today would have done much to stop the breach from happening or changed the way it was dealt with, experts say. (Kopan, 2/9)
The Wall Street Journal's Moneybeat:
New York Regulator Polls Insurers On Cyber-Threats
New York Department of Financial Services Superintendent Benjamin Lawsky released results Monday of a survey of 43 insurers operating in the state as his department ramps up training for its own employees that will allow them to better identify vulnerabilities in the insurers and banks they oversee. (Scism, 2/9)
Reuters:
New York Plans Cybersecurity Reviews Of Insurers After Breach
New York's Financial Services Department said on Monday it planned to do regular cybersecurity reviews of insurers in the wake of the massive breach at health insurer Anthem Inc. The state agency said in a statement that it will "integrate regular, targeted assessments of cyber security preparedness at insurance companies as part of the department's examination process." (2/9)
