Federal officials are currently investigating a data breach involving Lamont Hanley & Associates, Inc., a company that handles account receivable management services for Catholic Medical Center (CMC). This breach was first reported to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on April 15, affecting 2,792 individuals. Although the specific details of the breach have not been disclosed, it has been classified as a “Hacking / I.T. incident” by federal investigators, indicating unauthorized access to the system.
CMC has responded to the incident by closely collaborating with Lamont Hanley to address the fallout and to notify the potentially impacted patients. In their communications, CMC has emphasized that the privacy and security of patient information are paramount. They have assured patients and stakeholders that they are diligently working to understand how the breach occurred and have confirmed that their own network was not compromised in the incident.
Lamont Hanley has reassured CMC that they have already implemented enhanced cybersecurity measures to prevent future breaches. This includes strengthening their existing security protocols and ensuring that comprehensive administrative, technical, and physical safeguards are in place to protect sensitive information. CMC also requires all contracted vendors to uphold stringent security standards to safeguard patient data effectively.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges organizations face in protecting sensitive information against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. Both CMC and Lamont Hanley are taking necessary steps to mitigate any potential harm and to prevent future incidents, demonstrating their commitment to maintaining robust cybersecurity practices. This event serves as a reminder of the critical importance of continuous improvement in security measures across all sectors handling sensitive personal data.
