In a recent cyberattack, the personal health information of 616 veterans in Minnesota was potentially compromised, as reported by the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System. This breach is part of a larger incident affecting over 2,300 veterans nationwide.
The breach involved DBP Inc., a medical transcription company contracted by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Hackers encrypted and possibly stole sensitive data, including veterans’ full names, medical record information, and Social Security numbers.
In response, the VA is collaborating with DBP Inc. to enhance security measures and prevent future breaches. They are also notifying affected veterans and offering resources to mitigate potential risks.
VA’s Response
The VA, in collaboration with DBP Inc., has begun implementing measures to contain the fallout from the breach. Their response includes:
- Notifying Affected Individuals
Impacted veterans are being informed of the breach and provided with steps to protect themselves from identity theft or fraud. - Offering Support Resources
Resources such as credit monitoring services and identity theft protection are being extended to those affected. - Strengthening Cybersecurity Measures
The VA is reviewing and enhancing its cybersecurity protocols with its contractors to prevent future breaches.
This incident underscores the ongoing challenges in safeguarding sensitive health information within the VA system. Earlier this year, a cyberattack on Change Healthcare, another VA contractor, potentially exposed the data of up to 15 million veterans.
The VA continues to strengthen its cybersecurity protocols to protect veterans’ personal information from such threats.
Steps Veterans Can Take to Protect Themselves
If you are a veteran concerned about your data’s safety, consider taking the following steps:
- Monitor Your Credit Reports
Regularly check your credit reports for any unauthorized activities. Use free resources like annualcreditreport.com. - Enable Credit Alerts
Contact your financial institutions to enable transaction alerts for unusual activity. - Place a Fraud Alert or Freeze on Credit
Adding a fraud alert or freezing your credit with major bureaus can prevent unauthorized access to your financial data. - Use Strong, Unique Passwords
Update passwords across all your accounts and enable two-factor authentication wherever possible.
Veterans affected will receive a letter from the Veterans Health Administration detailing what information was at risk. Anyone with questions can call and leave a message at 1-844-838-5433.
