A Boston doctor was robbed at gunpoint on September 24th, and thieves stole a laptop containing health records for nearly 1,000 patients. The exposed data includes names, medications, and diagnoses, but not Social Security numbers. Security experts say encryption could have prevented access to the stolen information.
A doctor's mugging now linked to a security breach at a local hospital. The thieves' one demand is putting nearly 1,000 patients at risk tonight. Katie Braces live in Boston with new details. New at 11, Katie.
And David, those armed robbers demanded the passcodes to the doctor's phone and computer. Several hundred patients at Brigham and Women's Hospital might be worried about more than a medical problem. A doctor was held up at gunpoint, his cell phone and computer stolen. The robbers demanded access access codes. Robert Siciliano is a security expert with Hotspot Shield.
It seems that the passwords that were given away were to access the computer itself. Now, the data, the medical information, very well could still be encrypted, which would mean that the bad guy just might not have access to it.
The doctor was robbed September 24th. On that same night, police say a man by Jamaica Pond was tied to a tree and robbed at gunpoint of a laptop and phone. Police say the robbers also demanded access codes. Officers will not confirm, though, if it's —same victim.
You always do worst-case scenario.
Most patients affected were treated at the hospital's neurology and neurosurgery programs between October 2011 and September of this year. The information on the devices includes patient names, age, medications, diagnosis, and treatment. Not on the computer or phone: Social Security numbers, insurance numbers, and financial account information.
If your Social Security number wasn't touched, then you're in pretty good shape.
Brigham and Women's chief information officer released a statement saying, in part, We apologize for any inconvenience and deeply regret any concern this situation may cause our patients. And the Brigham did alert the patients who are affected. As for the cell phone and laptop, they still have yet to be recovered. Reporting live in Boston, Katie Brace, WBC News.
