After the Pulse nightclub incident in Orlando, FL, a majority of the victims were treated at Orlando Regional Hospital. Not too long after their treatment, the hospital suffered a data breach, which included those victims’ PHI. Here’s what happened: Survivors of the Orlando shooting at the Pulse LGBT club will not be billed for their […]
About Marcie Giovannoni
Author Archive | Marcie Giovannoni
Is Medical Identity Theft on The Rise?
The threat of medical identity theft is becoming a far bigger threat than initially expected, and it’s on the rise. And to make things even worse, patients can’t effectively take matters into their own hands because, in most states, medical identities belong to the provider or hospital. It began like an ordinary purse snatching. The […]
Global Cost of Cyber Crime to Hit $6 Trillion in 2016
The global cost of cyber crime, according to a recent study by Cybersecurity Ventures and the Ponemon Institute, could reach $6 trillion before the end of 2016. While $6 trillion may seem a little high, more than a trillion isn’t unlikely either. A report out by Cybersecurity Ventures predicts global annual cybercrime costs will grow […]
OCR Phase 2 Audits Are Here!
After the dismal results of phase 1 OCR Audits, business associates and covered entities alike have their work cut out for them. But with phase 2 beginning, are organizations ready for an audit? The long-awaited second phase of the OCR Audits has finally arrived. After the dismal results of the phase 1 audits, healthcare organizations—both […]
Ransomware: Beware & Be Prepared!
Ransomware has been popping up in headlines quite a bit lately, and while it’s nothing to scoff at, there’s a few things you can do prepare. First, you can start by learning the basics. Ransomware is an epidemic. Every day more businesses, consumers, government and other organizations are finding their critical data held hostage and […]
Healthcare Takes Another Hit: Banner Health Data Breach
On June 17, 2017 Banner Health discovered a massive cyber attack that compromised more than 3.7 million patients, health insurance subscribers, food and drink customers, and personnel. The Phoenix-based health-care provider said Wednesday that it will mail letters to 3.7 million patients, health insurance customers, cafeteria customers, doctors and other health care providers notifying them about details […]
Privacy & Security Certifications – Which Ones Are Right For You?
When it comes to getting privacy or security certifications, there’s a ton of options, but which one is right for you? ISACA, International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP), The International Information System Security Certification Consortium ((ISC)2), and the Compliance Certification Board (CCB) are only a few of the associations that offer certifications. If you consider […]
Shortage of Cybersecurity Professionals
Across the United States, if not internationally, there’s a plethora of unfilled cybersecurity positions; approximately 1 million to be exact. In 2015, there were more than 209k unfilled cybersecurity positions within the United States, Why is there such a shortage, and how do we fix it? All those job openings mean there are a lot […]
The Aftermath of the Kroger/Equifax W-2 Breach
On May 6, 2016, Kroger had to notify 430,000+ current employees and former employees that their W-2 information had been breached. Unfortunately, the breach took place through a third party vendor, Equifax W-2 eXpress site. Three parties are involved in and affected by this breach: Kroger, Equifax, and Kroger’s current and past employees. All the […]
Ponemon Releases Sixth Annual Study on Healthcare Data Breaches
Ponemon has released it’s sixth annual study on healthcare data breaches and it has some interesting data. As it turns out, new threats and old problems cause turbulent times for Healthcare Criminal attacks from the outside and negligence from the inside continue to put patient data in the crossfire, the newly released Sixth Annual Benchmark […]
