Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Data Breach
Joseph R. Swedish, the president of Anthem (the second largest health insurer in the United States), has confirmed that “Anthem was the target of a very sophisticated external cyber attack […] attackers gained unauthorized access to Anthem’s IT system”. This critical breach has now exposed and compromised patient records, medical history, and private patient information, including social security numbers, email addresses, and mailing addresses.
The 80 million-plus customer health insurance provider has asked the FBI to investigate the cyberattack, as well as cybersecurity firm Mandiant. Anthem will also notify every individual whose information has been leaked and will provide a complimentary credit monitoring / identity protection package. Customers have been asked to report to the Internet Crime Complaint Center online slots (http://www.ic3.gov) if they suspect any suspicious activity on any of their accounts.
A minor victory for Anthem and its customers, however, is that the breach did not expose the credit card information of its patients. But Swedish did mention that the breach does affect both current and former customers. Anthem is recognized as Amerigroup, Caremore, Healthlink, Anthem Blue Cross, Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Georgia, Empire Blue Cross & Blue Shield, and Decare — all of which seem to have been directly affected.
2014 was a banner year for cyber attacks (Verizon Wireless, The Home Depot, JP Morgan Chase), and it seems that 2015 has just arrived at its first major tribulation — a mere month and change into the new year. And just a few weeks after President Obama expressed his concern toward cyber attacks and the severity of the situation at hand.
Anthem has become the first major cyber target in 2015, Swedish went on to say that “we join you in your concern and frustration […] we are working around the clock to do everything we can to further secure your data.”
Hardly comforting words during a time where cyber security seems anything but secure. Pacifying current and former customers for the time being just won”t cut it.
Written by Samuel Lang
Content Manager – NeoCertified
