A significant data breach occurred at Network180, also known as the Kent County Community Mental Health Authority, potentially impacting the personal information of approximately 59,000 employees and clients. The breach was initially detected on October 18th when an individual noticed suspicious activity on their email account and promptly alerted the IT department. Despite swift actions to contain the breach, it was later determined that sensitive data, including addresses, Social Security numbers, and medical information, had been accessed and exported through a phishing attack spanning from September 28th to October 18th.
In response to the breach, Network180 has taken proactive measures to strengthen its IT security infrastructure and prevent future attacks. This includes hiring cybersecurity staff to monitor the organization’s systems and implementing recommendations provided by forensic experts. Additionally, affected individuals have been notified of the breach, and Network180 is providing complimentary credit monitoring services for 12 months to mitigate potential risks associated with the exposure of personal information.
Mary Ann Sabo, a spokesperson for Network180, expressed regret over the incident and emphasized the organization’s commitment to safeguarding personal information. Network180 promptly engaged an external forensics team and reported the breach to the FBI. Sabo reassured employees and healthcare clients that Network180 takes the protection of personal information seriously and apologized for any distress caused by the breach. Despite the breach, Network180 remains dedicated to its mission of providing mental health services to the community while prioritizing the security and privacy of its stakeholders’ data.
