Category Archives: Data Security

Aetna contacts 65,000 after Web site data breach

Insurance company Aetna has contacted 65,000 current and former employees whose Social Security numbers (SSNs) may have been compromised in a Web site data breach.

The job application Web site also held names, phone numbers, e-mail and mailing addresses for up to 450,000 applicants, Aetna spokeswoman Cynthia Michener said. SSNs for those people were not stored on the site, which was maintained by an external vendor.

via Aetna contacts 65,000 after Web site data breach – Network World.

National Archives Breach Includes Clinton-Era Data

Either through accidental loss or theft, the National Archives and Record Administration informs Congress of more than a terabyte of missing data from the Clinton administration, including sensitive information on hundreds of individuals who visited the White House. Accident or not, the FBI has launched a criminal investigation into the matter.

via National Archives Breach Includes Clinton-Era Data.

Insurers keep an eye on cloud security threats

The Hartford has a dedicated insurance offering called CyberChoice that pays off if failure of the IT infrastructure results in liability for loss of personal information, intellectual property and the like. The insurance pays for investigation of the failure and payment of the costs of notifying customers if there is a reportable breach.

via Insurers keep an eye on cloud security threats – Network World.

Kaiser Fined $250,000 for Violating Octomom’s Privacy

The state of California is fining Kaiser Permanente $250,000 for violating patient privacy laws, two months after the hospital disclosed that several of its workers

via Kaiser Fined $250,000 for Violating Octomom’s Privacy – Momlogic – Yahoo! Buzz.

IRS lax in destroying sensitive tax papers

Sensitive documents about U.S. taxpayers were found in trash outside all Internal Revenue Service sites visited in a investigation, putting the people at risk of identity theft, an inspector’s report says.

via IRS lax in destroying sensitive tax papers | Reuters.

“Gumblar” website compromises increase 188 percent this week

Perhaps more shocking, the number of compromised websites, which includes Tennis.com, Variety.com and Coldwellbanker.com, increased 61 percent overnight on Wednesday.

via “Gumblar” website compromises increase 188 percent this week – SC Magazine US.

California water company insider steals $9 million, flees country

An insider at the California Water Service Company in San Jose broke into the company’s computer system and transferred $9 million into offshore bank accounts and fled the country.

via California water company insider steals $9 million, flees country – SC Magazine US.

Seventh WhiteHat Security Statistics Report Provides Birdseye View Into Real-World Website Risks

WhiteHat’s latest report contains data collected between January 1, 2006 and March 31, 2009, and finds 82 percent of websites have had a high, critical or urgent issue over their lifetime. Currently, WhiteHat finds that 63 percent of websites have a high, critical or urgent issue, proving that the consistency, thoroughness and frequency of WhiteHat Sentinel assessments leads to a decrease in vulnerabilities and therefore a decrease in overall risk. Of the 17,000 plus vulnerabilities identified, a little more than 7,000 remain open, which means that more than half (60 percent) have been closed. Additionally, WhiteHat Sentinel’s SaaS offering arms organizations with the information they need to protect their brands, attain PCI Compliance and avoid costly and damaging breaches.

via WhiteHat Security :: Seventh WhiteHat Security Statistics Report Provides Birdseye View Into Real-World Website Risks.

“Thousands” Of Medical Records Discovered In Recycling Bin

Anyone who peered inside the mixed paper bin at the Dupont Recycling Center this afternoon got an eyeful.

Files, in plain sight, which authorities say contained sensitive medical and identity information.

“Upon finding those, they discovered it wasn’t a small amount. it was a large amount that we had to notify hutcheson medical center and one other medical facility,” says Investigator William Puckett with the Chattanooga Police Department.

via “Thousands” Of Medical Records Discovered In Recycling Bin | newschannel9, records, afternoon – Local News – WTVC NewsChannel 9: Chattanooga News, Weather, Radar, Sports, Lottery.

UC Berkeley Hit With Major Data Theft

If you’re a current or former University of California, Berkeley student, and have taken advantage of the on-campus health services at some point in the past ten years, you may want to check your credit report. The university today announced that it has discovered a massive data theft involving 160,000 current and former UC Berkeley students.

via UC Berkeley Hit With Major Data Theft – Network World.