The Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners (ECPTOTE) has confirmed a data breach that affected an undisclosed number of individuals, compromising sensitive information such as names, Social Security numbers, and dates of birth. The incident has been linked to the ransomware group Hunters International, which claims to have stolen a substantial 139 GB of data, including files belonging to military service members. While the ECPTOTE has reported the breach to the Texas attorney general, it has not verified the attackers’ claims regarding the data stolen.
On August 2, 2024, the ECPTOTE announced on its homepage that its systems were temporarily down, signaling potential issues following the breach. The extent of the impact is still unclear, as it remains unknown how many individuals were affected, the method of breach, or whether a ransom was paid. Comparitech has reached out for further comments but has yet to receive a response from the council.
In response to the breach, the ECPTOTE has recommended that affected individuals take advantage of free credit monitoring and identity theft protection services that may be offered. This proactive approach aims to help victims safeguard their personal information and mitigate any potential risks arising from the breach.
Hunters International, which first emerged in October 2023, has gained notoriety for its double-extortion tactics, where it demands ransom for both decryption of systems and deletion of stolen data. The group has been linked to multiple attacks on U.S. government entities, showcasing a growing trend of cyber threats targeting public organizations and raising concerns about data security in the regulatory landscape.
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