Monthly Breach Deets - Avalon Healthcare Data Breach

It’s time to highlight the next Monthly Breach Deets to start the new year with a renewed knowledge of cybersecurity. Avalon Healthcare, a provider of comprehensive senior care services, experienced a data breach in July 2019 and it was just recently settled. A few years ago, an employee opened and responded to a phishing email while unintentionally disclosing personal information about the company. As stated by HIPAA Journal, it was uncovered that 14,500 of their employees and patients were affected by this breach. It cost Avalon Healthcare an estimated $2,800,863 in loss of reputational damage, according to eRiskHub.

The data breach contained the following sensitive information:

• Names
• Address
• Social Security numbers
• Dates of birth
• Driver’s License numbers
• Medical information
• Financial information

The data breach could have been prevented

There are several steps you can incorporate into your business’s day-to-day operations to help prevent a data breach:

1. Use multi-factor authentication, also called two-factor authentication (2FA), for enhanced security. At VGM Forbin, we recommend our clients use Duo Two-Factor Authentication. This is an application that can easily integrate into your systems and is focused on user experience.
2. Use a secure server or virtual private network when accessing your data remotely.
3. Implement strong passwords and update them frequently.
4. Regularly update and patch your software and systems.
5. Restrict access to sensitive data to only those that need it.
6. Use firewalls to secure your networks.
7. Educate your employees frequently on best practices.

VGM Forbin Can Help Keep Your Information Secure

Our IT team can help set you up for success this year in many ways. We would be happy to consult you on security software and other ransomware security needs for your facility. Let us know if you'd like to schedule a consultation with our experts.

Contact us today.