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Harvard Pilgrim Data Breach: What & How It Happened?

Harvard Pilgrim Data Breach: What & How It Happened?

Twingate Team

Jun 14, 2024

In April 2023, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care experienced a ransomware attack affecting systems supporting their Commercial and Medicare Advantage Stride plans. Personal and health information of affected individuals was potentially compromised. Harvard Pilgrim initiated an investigation, collaborated with law enforcement, and provided complimentary credit monitoring and identity theft protection. The incident underscored the ongoing challenges of data breaches.

How many accounts were compromised?

The breach impacted data related to nearly 2.9 million individuals.

What data was leaked?

The data exposed in the breach included names, physical addresses, phone numbers, dates of birth, health insurance account information, Social Security numbers, provider taxpayer identification numbers, and clinical information such as medical history, diagnoses, treatment, dates of service, and provider names.

How was Harvard Pilgrim hacked?

The attackers breached Harvard Pilgrim Health Care's systems using a ransomware attack, compromising sensitive information between March 28, 2023, and April 17, 2023. The exact methods employed by the hackers remain unclear.

Harvard Pilgrim's solution

In response to the hack, Harvard Pilgrim took several measures to secure its platform and prevent future incidents. This included taking immediate action to contain the threat, engaging cybersecurity experts to assist with the investigation and remediation efforts, and implementing additional cybersecurity safeguards. Harvard Pilgrim also established a dedicated call center for individuals to contact with questions or concerns and to enroll in complimentary credit monitoring and identity theft protection services.

How do I know if I was affected?

Harvard Pilgrim has notified individuals believed to be affected by the breach. If you're a Harvard Pilgrim member and haven't received a notification, you may visit Have I Been Pwned to check your credentials.

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. Make sure 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 parties.

For more specific help and instructions related to Harvard Pilgrim's data breach, please contact Harvard Pilgrim's support directly.

Where can I go to learn more?

For more information on the Harvard Pilgrim data breach, check out the following news articles:

Rapidly implement a modern Zero Trust network that is more secure and maintainable than VPNs.

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Harvard Pilgrim Data Breach: What & How It Happened?

Harvard Pilgrim Data Breach: What & How It Happened?

Twingate Team

Jun 14, 2024

In April 2023, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care experienced a ransomware attack affecting systems supporting their Commercial and Medicare Advantage Stride plans. Personal and health information of affected individuals was potentially compromised. Harvard Pilgrim initiated an investigation, collaborated with law enforcement, and provided complimentary credit monitoring and identity theft protection. The incident underscored the ongoing challenges of data breaches.

How many accounts were compromised?

The breach impacted data related to nearly 2.9 million individuals.

What data was leaked?

The data exposed in the breach included names, physical addresses, phone numbers, dates of birth, health insurance account information, Social Security numbers, provider taxpayer identification numbers, and clinical information such as medical history, diagnoses, treatment, dates of service, and provider names.

How was Harvard Pilgrim hacked?

The attackers breached Harvard Pilgrim Health Care's systems using a ransomware attack, compromising sensitive information between March 28, 2023, and April 17, 2023. The exact methods employed by the hackers remain unclear.

Harvard Pilgrim's solution

In response to the hack, Harvard Pilgrim took several measures to secure its platform and prevent future incidents. This included taking immediate action to contain the threat, engaging cybersecurity experts to assist with the investigation and remediation efforts, and implementing additional cybersecurity safeguards. Harvard Pilgrim also established a dedicated call center for individuals to contact with questions or concerns and to enroll in complimentary credit monitoring and identity theft protection services.

How do I know if I was affected?

Harvard Pilgrim has notified individuals believed to be affected by the breach. If you're a Harvard Pilgrim member and haven't received a notification, you may visit Have I Been Pwned to check your credentials.

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. Make sure 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 parties.

For more specific help and instructions related to Harvard Pilgrim's data breach, please contact Harvard Pilgrim's support directly.

Where can I go to learn more?

For more information on the Harvard Pilgrim data breach, check out the following news articles:

Rapidly implement a modern Zero Trust network that is more secure and maintainable than VPNs.

Harvard Pilgrim Data Breach: What & How It Happened?

Twingate Team

Jun 14, 2024

In April 2023, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care experienced a ransomware attack affecting systems supporting their Commercial and Medicare Advantage Stride plans. Personal and health information of affected individuals was potentially compromised. Harvard Pilgrim initiated an investigation, collaborated with law enforcement, and provided complimentary credit monitoring and identity theft protection. The incident underscored the ongoing challenges of data breaches.

How many accounts were compromised?

The breach impacted data related to nearly 2.9 million individuals.

What data was leaked?

The data exposed in the breach included names, physical addresses, phone numbers, dates of birth, health insurance account information, Social Security numbers, provider taxpayer identification numbers, and clinical information such as medical history, diagnoses, treatment, dates of service, and provider names.

How was Harvard Pilgrim hacked?

The attackers breached Harvard Pilgrim Health Care's systems using a ransomware attack, compromising sensitive information between March 28, 2023, and April 17, 2023. The exact methods employed by the hackers remain unclear.

Harvard Pilgrim's solution

In response to the hack, Harvard Pilgrim took several measures to secure its platform and prevent future incidents. This included taking immediate action to contain the threat, engaging cybersecurity experts to assist with the investigation and remediation efforts, and implementing additional cybersecurity safeguards. Harvard Pilgrim also established a dedicated call center for individuals to contact with questions or concerns and to enroll in complimentary credit monitoring and identity theft protection services.

How do I know if I was affected?

Harvard Pilgrim has notified individuals believed to be affected by the breach. If you're a Harvard Pilgrim member and haven't received a notification, you may visit Have I Been Pwned to check your credentials.

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. Make sure 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 parties.

For more specific help and instructions related to Harvard Pilgrim's data breach, please contact Harvard Pilgrim's support directly.

Where can I go to learn more?

For more information on the Harvard Pilgrim data breach, check out the following news articles: