Top health data breaches caused by hackers

Hospital chain Community Health Systems now has the second-largest breach of any type in the era of breach notification, with 4.5 million patients being offered identity protection services after hackers in China attacked CHS information systems in April and June of 2014. The HHS Office for Civil Rights Web site of large breaches lists at least 89 major incidents of hacking, which have become much more prevalent during the past two years.

In June 2014, the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services notified 1.3 million individuals–a number that exceeds the state’s population–after a computer server was hacked. An investigation found the server likely was initially attacked in July 2013. Breached information included patient names, addresses, birth dates and Social Security numbers, and employee names, SSNs and bank account numbers. All were offered a year of credit and identity protection services.