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Data Breach Exposes Nearly 400,000 Records

Posted: December 30, 2016 to Digital Forensics.

Tags: Compliance, Data Breach, Digital Forensics

On November 7 of this year, Community Health Plan of Washington (CHPW), a nonprofit Medicaid-based health insurance company in Seattle, received a disturbing voicemail, the effects of which are just today being fully realized. The unidentified caller stated that the firm (a subsidiary of NTT Data) who provides technical services to CHPW had a major security vulnerability. While CHPW was not quick to notify those who may have been impacted, some 381,534 current and former patients, they did not hesitate when it came to investigating the matter. The company not only hired a forensic investigation team, but they also contacted both the FBI and WA state regulators. After the breach was officially confirmed on November 30, CHPW hired the well-known cybersecurity firm, Kroll, to guide them through the best course of action. All members, whose names, addresses, DOBs, and SSNs have been hacked, will be receiving notification of the breach via letters sent 12/28/2016, and will be eligible to receive a year of free credit monitoring. As for the delayed reaction time, CEO Marilee McGuire acknowledges it by explaining that they wanted to make sure all those logistics were in place, which she said takes some time. McGuire has expressed personal concern over the issue and has even set up a call center and translation services to help make amends.

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About the Author

Craig Petronella, CEO and Founder of Petronella Technology Group
CEO, Founder & AI Architect, Petronella Technology Group

Craig Petronella founded Petronella Technology Group in 2002 and has spent more than 30 years working at the intersection of cybersecurity, AI, compliance, and digital forensics. He holds the CMMC Registered Practitioner credential (RP-1372) issued by the Cyber AB, is an NC Licensed Digital Forensics Examiner (License #604180-DFE), and completed MIT Professional Education programs in AI, Blockchain, and Cybersecurity. Craig also holds CompTIA Security+, CCNA, and Hyperledger certifications.

He is an Amazon #1 Best-Selling Author of 15+ books on cybersecurity and compliance, host of the Encrypted Ambition podcast (95+ episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon), and a cybersecurity keynote speaker with 200+ engagements at conferences, law firms, and corporate boardrooms. Craig serves as Contributing Editor for Cybersecurity at NC Triangle Attorney at Law Magazine and is a guest lecturer at NCCU School of Law. He has served as a digital forensics expert witness in federal and state court cases involving cybercrime, cryptocurrency fraud, SIM-swap attacks, and data breaches.

Under his leadership, Petronella Technology Group has served 2,500+ clients, maintained a zero-breach record among compliant clients, earned a BBB A+ rating every year since 2003, and been featured as a cybersecurity authority on CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX, and WRAL. The company leverages SOC 2 Type II certified platforms and specializes in AI implementation, managed cybersecurity, CMMC/HIPAA/SOC 2 compliance, and digital forensics for businesses across the United States.

CMMC-RP NC Licensed DFE MIT Certified CompTIA Security+ Expert Witness 15+ Books
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