Indiana University breach affects 3K patients
An act of thievery at the Indiana University (IU) School of Medicine has resulted in a notification to 3,192 individuals that their confidential patient information may have been compromised.
According to the Indianapolis-based university, a password-protected, computer laptop belonging to a physician in the school’s department of surgery containing information such as name, age, sex, diagnosis and medical record number, was reportedly stolen from the physician’s vehicle on Aug. 16. In 178 instances, Social Security numbers were included.
Indiana University sent out notification letters on Sept. 2. “Although the laptop computer was password protected, there is a possibility that the information could be accessed by a computer specialist with enough time and resources,” the university said in a statement.
The IU School of Medicine is providing information to those who might be affected by this incident including suggestions on how they may protect themselves from possible unauthorized use of their personal information.
“The IU School of Medicine and the IU department of surgery deeply regret this incident and are taking steps and security measures to minimize the likelihood of future incidents,” the statement concluded.
According to the Indianapolis-based university, a password-protected, computer laptop belonging to a physician in the school’s department of surgery containing information such as name, age, sex, diagnosis and medical record number, was reportedly stolen from the physician’s vehicle on Aug. 16. In 178 instances, Social Security numbers were included.
Indiana University sent out notification letters on Sept. 2. “Although the laptop computer was password protected, there is a possibility that the information could be accessed by a computer specialist with enough time and resources,” the university said in a statement.
The IU School of Medicine is providing information to those who might be affected by this incident including suggestions on how they may protect themselves from possible unauthorized use of their personal information.
“The IU School of Medicine and the IU department of surgery deeply regret this incident and are taking steps and security measures to minimize the likelihood of future incidents,” the statement concluded.