CMS Data Breach: What & How It Happened?
Twingate Team
•
Jun 20, 2024
In May 2023, a contractor for a government healthcare program experienced a data breach due to a vulnerability in a third-party software. The breach led to unauthorized access to files containing sensitive personal information. In response, the contractor and the overseeing agency notified those potentially affected and took necessary actions to address the situation.
How many accounts were compromised?
The breach impacted data related to approximately 330,000 individuals.
What data was leaked?
The data exposed in the breach included names, Social Security numbers or Individual Taxpayer Identification numbers, dates of birth, mailing addresses, telephone numbers, fax numbers, email addresses, Medicare Beneficiary Identifiers or Health Insurance Claim numbers, driver's license numbers and state identification numbers, medical history and notes, healthcare provider and prescription information, health insurance claims and policy information, and health benefits and enrollment information.
How was CMS hacked?
An unauthorized party exploited a security vulnerability in the MOVEit software, a third-party application used for transferring files during the Medicare appeals process. This breach enabled the attacker to access and potentially obtain copies of files containing sensitive information from multiple organizations, including those in both government and private sectors. The full extent of the data compromised and the specific impact on each organization remains unclear.
CMS's solution
In response to the hacking incident, CMS and Maximus Federal Services took several measures to address the situation and prevent future occurrences. These actions included taking the MOVEit application offline, applying software patches, and notifying law enforcement. Additionally, enhanced security protocols were implemented, and collaboration with cybersecurity experts was initiated to strengthen their defenses. CMS continues to investigate the incident in coordination with Maximus, aiming to safeguard the information entrusted to them.
How do I know if I was affected?
CMS and Maximus Federal Services notified individuals believed to be affected by the breach. If you are involved in the Medicare appeals process and have not received a notification, you may visit Have I Been Pwned to check if your credentials were compromised in this incident.
What should affected users do?
In general, affected users should:
Change Your Passwords: Immediately update your passwords for all accounts that may have been compromised. Ensure that the new passwords are strong and unique, not previously used on any other platform.
Reset Passwords for Other Accounts: If you've used the same or similar passwords for other online accounts, reset those as well. This is crucial as attackers often try using stolen passwords on multiple sites.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Activate 2FA on your accounts, if available. Consider enabling this additional security feature on all other important online accounts to significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access.
Monitor Your Accounts: Keep an eye on your accounts for any suspicious activity and report any unauthorized transactions or changes to the appropriate authorities.
For more specific help and instructions related to CMS's data breach, please contact CMS's support directly.
Where can I go to learn more?
If you want to find more information on the CMS data breach, check out the following news articles:
Rapidly implement a modern Zero Trust network that is more secure and maintainable than VPNs.
CMS Data Breach: What & How It Happened?
Twingate Team
•
Jun 20, 2024
In May 2023, a contractor for a government healthcare program experienced a data breach due to a vulnerability in a third-party software. The breach led to unauthorized access to files containing sensitive personal information. In response, the contractor and the overseeing agency notified those potentially affected and took necessary actions to address the situation.
How many accounts were compromised?
The breach impacted data related to approximately 330,000 individuals.
What data was leaked?
The data exposed in the breach included names, Social Security numbers or Individual Taxpayer Identification numbers, dates of birth, mailing addresses, telephone numbers, fax numbers, email addresses, Medicare Beneficiary Identifiers or Health Insurance Claim numbers, driver's license numbers and state identification numbers, medical history and notes, healthcare provider and prescription information, health insurance claims and policy information, and health benefits and enrollment information.
How was CMS hacked?
An unauthorized party exploited a security vulnerability in the MOVEit software, a third-party application used for transferring files during the Medicare appeals process. This breach enabled the attacker to access and potentially obtain copies of files containing sensitive information from multiple organizations, including those in both government and private sectors. The full extent of the data compromised and the specific impact on each organization remains unclear.
CMS's solution
In response to the hacking incident, CMS and Maximus Federal Services took several measures to address the situation and prevent future occurrences. These actions included taking the MOVEit application offline, applying software patches, and notifying law enforcement. Additionally, enhanced security protocols were implemented, and collaboration with cybersecurity experts was initiated to strengthen their defenses. CMS continues to investigate the incident in coordination with Maximus, aiming to safeguard the information entrusted to them.
How do I know if I was affected?
CMS and Maximus Federal Services notified individuals believed to be affected by the breach. If you are involved in the Medicare appeals process and have not received a notification, you may visit Have I Been Pwned to check if your credentials were compromised in this incident.
What should affected users do?
In general, affected users should:
Change Your Passwords: Immediately update your passwords for all accounts that may have been compromised. Ensure that the new passwords are strong and unique, not previously used on any other platform.
Reset Passwords for Other Accounts: If you've used the same or similar passwords for other online accounts, reset those as well. This is crucial as attackers often try using stolen passwords on multiple sites.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Activate 2FA on your accounts, if available. Consider enabling this additional security feature on all other important online accounts to significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access.
Monitor Your Accounts: Keep an eye on your accounts for any suspicious activity and report any unauthorized transactions or changes to the appropriate authorities.
For more specific help and instructions related to CMS's data breach, please contact CMS's support directly.
Where can I go to learn more?
If you want to find more information on the CMS data breach, check out the following news articles:
Rapidly implement a modern Zero Trust network that is more secure and maintainable than VPNs.
CMS Data Breach: What & How It Happened?
Twingate Team
•
Jun 20, 2024
In May 2023, a contractor for a government healthcare program experienced a data breach due to a vulnerability in a third-party software. The breach led to unauthorized access to files containing sensitive personal information. In response, the contractor and the overseeing agency notified those potentially affected and took necessary actions to address the situation.
How many accounts were compromised?
The breach impacted data related to approximately 330,000 individuals.
What data was leaked?
The data exposed in the breach included names, Social Security numbers or Individual Taxpayer Identification numbers, dates of birth, mailing addresses, telephone numbers, fax numbers, email addresses, Medicare Beneficiary Identifiers or Health Insurance Claim numbers, driver's license numbers and state identification numbers, medical history and notes, healthcare provider and prescription information, health insurance claims and policy information, and health benefits and enrollment information.
How was CMS hacked?
An unauthorized party exploited a security vulnerability in the MOVEit software, a third-party application used for transferring files during the Medicare appeals process. This breach enabled the attacker to access and potentially obtain copies of files containing sensitive information from multiple organizations, including those in both government and private sectors. The full extent of the data compromised and the specific impact on each organization remains unclear.
CMS's solution
In response to the hacking incident, CMS and Maximus Federal Services took several measures to address the situation and prevent future occurrences. These actions included taking the MOVEit application offline, applying software patches, and notifying law enforcement. Additionally, enhanced security protocols were implemented, and collaboration with cybersecurity experts was initiated to strengthen their defenses. CMS continues to investigate the incident in coordination with Maximus, aiming to safeguard the information entrusted to them.
How do I know if I was affected?
CMS and Maximus Federal Services notified individuals believed to be affected by the breach. If you are involved in the Medicare appeals process and have not received a notification, you may visit Have I Been Pwned to check if your credentials were compromised in this incident.
What should affected users do?
In general, affected users should:
Change Your Passwords: Immediately update your passwords for all accounts that may have been compromised. Ensure that the new passwords are strong and unique, not previously used on any other platform.
Reset Passwords for Other Accounts: If you've used the same or similar passwords for other online accounts, reset those as well. This is crucial as attackers often try using stolen passwords on multiple sites.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Activate 2FA on your accounts, if available. Consider enabling this additional security feature on all other important online accounts to significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access.
Monitor Your Accounts: Keep an eye on your accounts for any suspicious activity and report any unauthorized transactions or changes to the appropriate authorities.
For more specific help and instructions related to CMS's data breach, please contact CMS's support directly.
Where can I go to learn more?
If you want to find more information on the CMS data breach, check out the following news articles:
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