Montana server hacked, 1.3M at risk

Laura Pedulli | | Health Exec | Cybersecurity

About 1.3 million people’s health information is at risk after hackers gained entry to Montana’s Department of Public Health and Human Services' (DPHHS') computer server.

There is no indication that the data on the server was used inappropriately, or even accessed, according to a release.

The discovery occurred when an independent forensic investigation found that a DPHHS computer server had been accessed by hackers. Individuals affected include both current and former Montana residents, and in some instances, the estates of deceased individuals. All persons will receive free credit monitoring and identity protection insurance.

Data at risk include demographic information, such as names, addresses, dates of birth and Social Security numbers. The server may also have included information regarding DPHHS services clients applied for and/or received, according to the statement.

“Out of an abundance of caution, we are notifying those whose personal information could have been on the server,” DPHHS Director Richard Opper said in a statement.

Laura Pedulli

Related Content

Healthcare hacker sentenced to 10 years in prison
Ransomware group deploys ticking clock to threaten Georgia hospital
Hackers were inside an Iowa hospital’s network for two weeks
Microsoft: Ransomware hit nearly 400 healthcare entities this year—a 300% rise since 2015
Feds make it official: Change data breach was the largest in healthcare history, impacting 100M
CMS contractor takes $1.2M loss after data breach, DOJ lawsuit

Around the web

Cardiovascular Business
Q&A: MedAxiom CEO explores key trends in cardiologist, cardiovascular surgeon compensation

Compensation for heart specialists continues to climb. What does this say about cardiology as a whole? Could private equity's rising influence bring about change? We spoke to MedAxiom CEO Jerry Blackwell, MD, MBA, a veteran cardiologist himself, to learn more.

Cardiovascular Business
Payment cuts and beyond: Key takeaways for cardiologists from the 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule

The American College of Cardiology has shared its perspective on new CMS payment policies, highlighting revenue concerns while providing key details for cardiologists and other cardiology professionals. 

AI in Healthcare
A modest proposal to rally AI regulators around a simple game plan

As debate simmers over how best to regulate AI, experts continue to offer guidance on where to start, how to proceed and what to emphasize. A new resource models its recommendations on what its authors call the “SETO Loop.”