Companies have begun to experience attempts to breach their databases on a frequent basis, and have had to become hypervigilant about protecting their networks against hackers. But once every couple of months, the bad guys get through the defense systems in a big and highly publicized way, showcasing data disaster for company and customers. This was the case in early February when Anthem Inc., the second-largest health insurance company in the U.S., announced it had been hacked, and up to 80 million current and former customers may be affected.
According to a statement released by Joseph Swedish, Anthem’s president and CEO, the attackers obtained personal information such as names, birthdays, Social Security numbers, street and email addresses, and employment information. Although no one knows who committed the cybercrime at present (Bloomberg reported that the Chinese government is suspected), one thing is for sure, the damage is significant and the potential reach is staggering. And companies and their counsel should remember that if a hack such as this can happen to one of the country’s biggest health insurers, it can happen to them too.
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