Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital hit by data breach, patient info possibly exposed

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Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital (NMH) has announced a data security breach in which an unauthorized party compromised the hospital's computer network and information systems, potentially exposing patient personal and medical information. NMH has notified affected patients and is working to strengthen its network security and cybersecurity measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Why it matters

Data breaches at healthcare facilities can have serious consequences for patients, including identity theft and financial fraud. This incident raises concerns about the security of sensitive patient data and the need for robust cybersecurity measures in the medical industry.

The details

On January 31, NMH became aware of the data security incident due to a cyber-attack that allowed an unauthorized party to access its computer network. The investigation found that the intruder may have accessed patient names, contact information, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, medical record numbers, and even photographs. NMH has not yet found evidence of the misuse of any patient information, but it is notifying affected individuals and taking steps to enhance its network security and cybersecurity preparedness.

• On January 31, NMH became aware of the data security incident.
• NMH immediately notified law enforcement and launched an investigation.

What’s next

NMH has established a toll-free number and email for patients to call with questions or concerns about the incident. The hospital is also updating its procedures and enhancing its cybersecurity measures to prevent future breaches.