Empath-Stratum Inc., operating as Empath Health in Florida, recently reported a breach affecting 5,545 patient records. Detected on February 27, 2024, unauthorized access prompted immediate security actions and an ensuing investigation. The breach involved an unknown third party accessing accounts between February 26 and 27, 2024, with one account also accessed between December 5 and 6, 2023.
Following the breach discovery, a thorough examination of the compromised accounts was conducted, confirming the presence of sensitive patient data. This included details such as names, dates of birth, treatment specifics, and other identifying information. Notably, at the time of notification, there have been no reported cases of identity theft or fraudulent activity stemming from the breach.
In response to the breach, Empath Health swiftly implemented additional technical security measures to bolster its defenses. Moreover, the organization initiated a comprehensive review of its existing policies, practices, and staff training protocols. These proactive steps are aimed at fortifying the organization’s data security framework and mitigating the risk of similar incidents in the future.
Empath Health remains committed to prioritizing patient confidentiality and data security. Through enhanced measures and ongoing vigilance, the organization seeks to uphold its duty of safeguarding patient information and maintaining trust within the community it serves.
