A new data leak. According to cybersecurity expert Damien Bancal, the data of more than 750,000 patients from a healthcare facility in Ile-de-France was put up for sale this Tuesday. On one website, an anonymous user put up for sale a file containing the personal data of 758,912 people. “We cannot be sure of the reliability of these figures”, however clarified Damien Bancal, also author of the blog zataz.com.
According to the hacker, who revealed a sample of the stolen data online, the file put up for sale would contain sensitive elements: in addition to surnames, first names, email and postal addresses and dates of birth, medical information such as the identity of the treatment or doctor’s prescriptions would be affected.
The sales proposal included the name of Mediboard, a medical software used in healthcare facilities, as well as the names of several private hospitals.
The Aléo Santé group is probably in the sights
When questioned, the company Softway Medical, publisher of Mediboard, however clarified that the leak did not concern the software itself, but rather a healthcare facility of the Aléo group that uses it. “The facility’s health data is not hosted by Softway Medical,” explains Déborah Draï, the company’s communications manager.
Aléo Santé brings together 14 clinics or health centers and three retirement homes in Paris and the south of the Paris region, according to its website.
“With all this information we can create increasingly precise databases which are certainly the best way to know your future victim to carry out targeted phishing, perhaps to make a false bank call”, commented Benoit Grunemwald, cybersecurity expert at ESET, a specialized company in the sector.
Since the beginning of the week, several companies have been victims of data leaks. Le Point magazine thus confirmed that its readers had been affected, without revealing the number. Direct Assurance, a subsidiary of the Axa group, also indicated that 15,000 of its customers were affected. Names, names, email addresses and IBANs were stolen.
**What are the most common cybersecurity challenges faced by healthcare organizations today?**
Interview between Time.news Editor and Cybersecurity Expert Damien Bancal
Time.news Editor (TNE): Welcome, Damien. It’s great to have you with us today to discuss this alarming data leak affecting healthcare facilities in Ile-de-France. Can you start by giving us an overview of what happened?
Damien Bancal (DB): Thank you for having me. The situation is indeed concerning. Recently, it came to light that the personal data of over 758,000 patients from a healthcare facility in Ile-de-France has been put up for sale on an anonymous website. The data reportedly includes not just basic information like names and addresses, but also sensitive medical information such as treatment details and doctor’s prescriptions.
TNE: That’s shocking. What do you mean when you say that we cannot be sure of the reliability of these figures?
DB: Great question. While the hacker claims to have a file with details of 758,912 individuals, it’s crucial to remain cautious. The validity of these numbers is hard to verify. Hackers often exaggerate their claims to make the theft appear more significant than it may actually be. Until we have an official confirmation from the affected parties, we should treat these figures with skepticism.
TNE: Understood. Can you elaborate on the kind of sensitive information that was exposed?
DB: Sure. In addition to personal identifiers like names, email addresses, and postal addresses, medical data such as health conditions and prescribed treatments are implicated. This kind of information can lead to identity theft and can be highly damaging, especially when exploited by malicious actors in the healthcare space.
TNE: There’s mention of a medical software called Mediboard in the hacker’s proposal. What’s the significance of that in this context?
DB: Mediboard is widely used in various healthcare facilities for managing patient information and treatment data. The association with this software indicates that the breach could stem from vulnerabilities within these systems. It raises concerns about how well healthcare facilities are safeguarding sensitive patient data, especially with so much at stake.
TNE: How are healthcare organizations typically handling cybersecurity, and what challenges do they face?
DB: Many healthcare organizations are still catching up in terms of cybersecurity. The challenge lies in the balance of providing necessary health services while protecting sensitive information. Resources can be limited, and many organizations may not invest enough in cybersecurity measures or training for their staff. Additionally, the healthcare sector is often a target for cybercriminals due to the high value of medical data on the black market.
TNE: With breaches like this becoming more common, what steps can healthcare facilities take to enhance their cybersecurity posture?
DB: First and foremost, regular risk assessments and audits of their cybersecurity protocols are essential. Implementing multifactor authentication, robust encryption, and educating staff about phishing and other social engineering tactics can be vital. Moreover, having a robust incident response plan in place can significantly mitigate the impact of any potential breaches.
TNE: what do you believe is the public’s responsibility when it comes to protecting their personal information in light of incidents like this?
DB: The public should be aware of the data they share and the potential risks involved. It’s essential to use unique, strong passwords and to follow up on privacy settings for any accounts they might have. Additionally, monitoring accounts for unusual activity is crucial. Awareness and proactive engagement are key in today’s digital landscape.
TNE: Thank you, Damien, for shedding light on these critical issues. It’s clear that both organizations and individuals have roles to play in this ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape.
DB: Thank you for having me. Let’s hope that, moving forward, we can find ways to better protect our sensitive information.