As healthcare organizations continue to face cybersecurity threats, November 2024 has already recorded several HIPAA data breaches, impacting thousands of individuals. These breaches highlight critical vulnerabilities in email systems, network servers, and business associate security practices. Here’s an in-depth look at these incidents, with takeaways to strengthen HIPAA compliance and data protection efforts.
Major HIPAA Data Breaches in November 2024
Orthopedics Rhode Island, Inc. (Connecticut)
- Breach Type: Hacking/IT Incident – Network Server
- Individuals Affected: 500
- Discovery Date: November 6, 2024
- Details: A network breach exposed patient data, emphasizing server security and data protection needs.
Universal Health Corporation (Virginia)
- Breach Type: Hacking/IT Incident – Email
- Individuals Affected: 583
- Discovery Date: November 6, 2024
- Details: Email breach highlights the importance of secure email systems and multi-factor authentication (MFA).
Planned Parenthood of Montana (Montana)
- Breach Type: Hacking/IT Incident – Network Server
- Individuals Affected: 18,003
- Discovery Date: November 5, 2024
- Details: Over 18,000 records were exposed in a network server breach, reinforcing the need for advanced security measures.
Thompson Coburn LLP (Missouri)
- Breach Type: Hacking/IT Incident – Network Server
- Individuals Affected: 305,088
- Discovery Date: November 4, 2024
- Details: As a business associate, Thompson Coburn’s breach is the largest reported, affecting over 300,000 records and emphasizing associate compliance.
Embody Performance & Recovery (Missouri)
- Breach Type: Unauthorized Access/Disclosure – Email
- Individuals Affected: 1,100
- Discovery Date: November 4, 2024
- Details: Unauthorized email access resulted in a disclosure of PHI, showing the need for email monitoring.
Northeast Professional Home Care, Inc. (Ohio)
- Breach Type: Hacking/IT Incident – Email
- Individuals Affected: 648
- Discovery Date: November 1, 2024
- Details: A targeted email hacking attack compromised PHI, underscoring the importance of phishing prevention.
Kaiser Foundation Hospitals (California)
- Breach Type: Hacking/IT Incident – Email
- Individuals Affected: 44,600
- Discovery Date: November 1, 2024
- Details: This email compromise, one of the largest this month, demonstrates the need for reinforced email security protocols.
Potomac Medical Aesthetics, LLC (Maryland)
- Breach Type: Unauthorized Access/Disclosure – Email
- Individuals Affected: 2,876
- Discovery Date: November 1, 2024
- Details: Unauthorized access through email underscores the need for strict access control.
Key Takeaways and Security Recommendations
These breaches underscore several recurring vulnerabilities in HIPAA compliance:
Email Security Risks: Email breaches dominated this month’s incidents. Healthcare providers and associates should implement strong email protections, such as encryption, MFA, and phishing detection tools.
Network Server Vulnerabilities: Planned Parenthood and Thompson Coburn’s breaches show that network servers remain attractive targets. Regular security audits, patch management, and access control are essential to prevent such breaches.
Business Associate Compliance: Thompson Coburn’s breach highlights the need for stringent compliance by business associates. Ensuring that associates follow HIPAA standards can help reduce exposure risks across the entire healthcare chain.
