Title: Massachusetts Health Officials Warn of Global Security Incident Affecting 134,000 People
Introduction:
Massachusetts health officials have issued a warning to residents regarding a “global security incident” that has compromised the personal information of over 134,000 individuals. The breach was a result of a recent third-party data security incident involving a file-transfer software program called MOVEit. While no UMass Chan or state systems were compromised, individuals enrolled in certain state programs were affected.
Details of the Incident:
UMass Chan Medical School has initiated the process of notifying affected individuals who are currently or have previously been enrolled in specific state programs. The incident, which was part of a worldwide security breach, has impacted various organizations, including state and federal government agencies, financial services firms, and pension funds.
According to Thomas Koenig, senior media strategist for Goldin Solutions, the vulnerability in MOVEit was disclosed on May 31, with a patch released on the same day to address the issue. The incident did not compromise any UMass Chan or state systems.
Actions Taken and Protective Measures:
Impacted individuals have received notifications by mail and will be contacted via phone, text, and email where possible. Health officials and state agencies have encouraged affected individuals to monitor their financial account statements closely. They have also urged individuals to take necessary steps to protect their information, such as enrolling in free credit monitoring and identity theft protection services offered by the authorities.
Officials have advised affected individuals to review their financial account statements for any unauthorized charges or activity. If such activity is detected, individuals are advised to immediately contact their financial institution.
Affected Programs and Services:
UMass Chan provides services to various programs within the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, including MassHealth, Family Resource Centers, and the Executive Office of Elder Affairs. The impacted individuals are primarily participants in these programs, such as State Supplement Program recipients, MassHealth Premium Assistance members, MassHealth Community Case Management participants, and Executive Office of Elder Affairs and Aging Services Access Points home care program consumers.
Notifications and Support Services:
Starting from Tuesday, affected individuals will receive letters from both UMass Chan and the state, providing them with detailed information about the impact on their personal data. The letters also outline the actions taken to address the security incident and provide steps that individuals can take to protect their information.
UMass Chan is offering free credit monitoring and identity theft protection services to individuals whose Social Security numbers or financial information were compromised in this incident. For further information and assistance, individuals can visit mass.gov/MOVEitIncident or umassmed.edu, or they can call 855-862-7769 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. from Monday to Friday.
Conclusion:
Massachusetts health officials are working diligently to address the global security incident that has impacted over 134,000 individuals enrolled in various state programs. While the incident did not compromise UMass Chan or state systems, officials are urging affected individuals to remain vigilant, review their financial account statements, and take necessary measures to protect their information. Further updates regarding the incident will be provided as more information becomes available.