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Ransom
Cyber Attacks Data Leak Healthcare Breach Patient Data Ransom

UnitedHealth Paid Ransom After Massive Change Healthcare Cyber Assault

 

The Russian cybercriminals who targeted a UnitedHealth Group-owned company in February did not leave empty-handed.

"A ransom was paid as part of the company's commitment to do everything possible to protect patient data from disclosure," a spokesperson for UnitedHealth Group stated earlier this week. 

The spokesperson did not reveal how much the healthcare giant paid following the cyberattack, which halted operations at hospitals and pharmacies for more than a week. Multiple media outlets claimed that UnitedHealth paid $22 million in bitcoin. 

"We know this attack has caused concern and been disruptive for consumers and providers and we are committed to doing everything possible to help and provide support to anyone who may need it," UnitedHealth CEO Andrew Witty said in a statement Monday. 

UnitedHealth attributed the intrusion on the Russian ransomware gang ALPHV, also known as BlackCat. The group claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that it took more than six terabytes of data, including "sensitive" medical records, from Change Healthcare, which handles health insurance claims for patients who visit hospitals, medical centres, or pharmacies. 

The attack's scale—Change Healthcare performs 15 billion transactions every year, according to the American Hospital Association—meant that even people who were not UnitedHealth clients could have been affected. The attack has already cost UnitedHealth Group almost $900 million, company officials said in reporting first-quarter earnings last week. 

Ransomware attacks, which include disabling a target's computer systems, are becoming more widespread in the healthcare industry. In 2022, a study published in JAMA Health Forum found that the yearly frequency of ransomware attacks against hospitals and other providers increased.

It was "straight out an attack on the U.S. health system and designed to create maximum damage," Witty informed analysts last week during an earnings call about the Change Healthcare incident. According to UnitedHealth's earnings report, the cyberattack is ultimately estimated to cost the organisation between $1.3 billion and $1.6 billion this year.
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Technology
AI technology AI Tool ChatGPT ChatGPT-4 Medical Sector Patient Data Technology

Harnessing AI and ChatGPT for Eye Care Triage: Advancements in Patient Management

 

In a groundbreaking study conducted by Dr. Arun Thirunavukarasu, a former University of Cambridge researcher, artificial intelligence (AI) emerges as a promising tool for triaging patients with eye issues. Dr. Thirunavukarasu's research highlights the potential of AI to revolutionize patient management in ophthalmology, particularly in identifying urgent cases that require immediate specialist attention. 

The study, conducted in collaboration with Cambridge University academics, evaluated the performance of ChatGPT 4, an advanced language model, in comparison to expert ophthalmologists and medical trainees. Remarkably, ChatGPT 4 exhibited a scoring accuracy of 69% in a simulated exam setting, outperforming previous iterations of the program and rival language models such as ChatGPT 3.5, Llama, and Palm2. 

Utilizing a vast dataset comprising 374 ophthalmology questions, ChatGPT 4 demonstrated its capability to analyze complex eye symptoms and signs, providing accurate recommendations for patient triage. When compared to expert clinicians, trainees, and junior doctors, ChatGPT 4 proved to be on par with experienced ophthalmologists in processing clinical information and making informed decisions. 

Dr. Thirunavukarasu emphasizes the transformative potential of AI in streamlining patient care pathways. He envisions AI algorithms assisting healthcare professionals in prioritizing patient cases, distinguishing between emergencies requiring immediate specialist intervention and those suitable for primary care or non-urgent follow-up. 

By leveraging AI-driven triage systems, healthcare providers can optimize resource allocation and ensure timely access to specialist services for patients in need. Furthermore, the integration of AI technologies in primary care settings holds promise for enhancing diagnostic accuracy and expediting treatment referrals. ChatGPT 4 and similar language models could serve as invaluable decision support tools for general practitioners, offering timely guidance on eye-related concerns and facilitating prompt referrals to specialist ophthalmologists. 

Despite the remarkable advancements in AI-driven healthcare, Dr. Thirunavukarasu underscores the indispensable role of human clinicians in patient care. While AI technologies offer invaluable assistance and decision support, they complement rather than replace the expertise and empathy of healthcare professionals. Dr. Thirunavukarasu reaffirms the central role of doctors in overseeing patient management and emphasizes the collaborative potential of AI-human partnerships in delivering high-quality care. 

As the field of AI continues to evolve, propelled by innovative research and technological advancements, the integration of AI-driven triage systems in clinical practice holds immense promise for enhancing patient outcomes and optimizing healthcare delivery in ophthalmology and beyond. Dr. Thirunavukarasu's pioneering work exemplifies the transformative impact of AI in revolutionizing patient care pathways and underscores the imperative of embracing AI-enabled solutions to address the evolving needs of healthcare delivery.
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Personal Data
Cyberattack Data Breach Medical Data Orrick Orrick Law Firm Patient Data Personal Data

Orrick Data Breach: Law Firm Dealing with Data Breaches Hit by One


An international law firm assists businesses impacted by security events has experienced a cyberattack, where it compromised the sensitive health information of hundreds of thousands of data breach victims. 

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, the San Francisco-based company revealed last week that that during an attack in March 2023, threat actors stole personal information and critical health data of more than 637,000 data breach victims.

Orrick said that the hackers had taken massive amounts of data from its systems related to security incidents at other organizations, for which he provided legal assistance, in a series of letters notifying those impacted of the data breach.

Orrick informs that the data involved in the breach involved its customers’ data, including those with dental policies with Delta Dental, a major healthcare insurance network that covers millions of Americans' dental needs, and those with vision plans with insurance company EyeMed Vision Care.

The company further added that it had contacted with the U.S. Small Business Administration, the behavioral health giant Beacon Health Options (now Carelon), and the health insurance provider MultiPlan that their data was also exposed in Orrick's data breach.

Apparently, the stolen data includes victims’ names, dates of birth, postal address and email addresses, and government-issued identification numbers, such as Social Security numbers, passport and driver license numbers, and tax identification numbers. Also, information about patient’s medical treatment and diagnosis details, insurance claim like date and service-charges, and healthcare insurance numbers and provider details have been compromised. 

Orrick further says that credit or debit card details as well as online account credentials were also involved in the breach. 

Since the initial announcement of the breach, the number of affected individuals have been on the rise. In its recent breach notice, Orrick states that it “does not anticipate providing notifications on behalf of additional businesses,” however the company did not specify how it came to this conclusion. 

Orrick said in December to a federal court in San Francisco that it reached a preliminary settlement to end four class action lawsuits that claimed Orrick failed to disclose the breach from victims for months after it had occurred.

“We are pleased to reach a settlement well within a year of the incident, which brings this matter to a close, and will continue our ongoing focus on protecting our systems and the information of our clients and our firm,” added Orrick’s spokesperson.  

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Technology
AI technology AI-Healthcare system Medical Data Patient Data Technology

Future Health: AI's Impact on Personalised Care in 2024

 



As we dive into the era of incorporating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into healthcare, the medical sector is poised for a profound transformation. AI holds immense potential in healthcare, offering groundbreaking advancements in diagnostics, personalised treatment approaches, and streamlined administrative processes. Casting our gaze forward to 2024, the influence of AI on patient care is increasingly palpable, with the seamless fusion of technology and healthcare charting a collaborative course toward a future marked by synergy. 

AI's influence is particularly notable in diagnostics, where healthcare professionals leverage its ability to interpret intricate health data. Unlike traditional methods, AI systems analyse diverse datasets, providing a more comprehensive understanding of a patient's health. Recent regulatory recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO) highlight the global recognition of AI's significance in healthcare, emphasising effective integration, patient safety, and data privacy. 

The concept of personalised medicine, tailoring treatments to individual patients, is evolving with AI playing a crucial role. AI's ability to process and analyse diverse patient data, including genetic details and lifestyle factors, is propelling the development of highly individualised treatment plans. This shift marks a pivotal moment in healthcare, promising a future where care is not only more precise but also tailored to the nuanced needs of individuals. 

In the next three years, trends in AI healthcare use cases are expected to shape the industry. Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Conversational AI will aid in symptom checking and triage, while virtual assistants guide patients and improve automated scheduling. Integrating omics data with Electronic Health Records (EHRs) and wearable device data will enhance patient phenotyping. Stringent regulations on AI, particularly in medical devices, are anticipated in the U.S. and Europe. The evolving role of AI in targeted diagnostics and personalised care simplifies data structuring, empowering healthcare professionals to focus on quality care. 

However, the widespread adoption of AI in daily clinical practice poses a critical challenge. The true potential of AI in healthcare can only be realised when medical professionals collaborate with these technologies, leveraging unique human skills and cognitive function. Those embracing this partnership are poised to harness AI's full potential, offering a glimpse into a future defined by advancements and redefined patient care standards. 

As AI reshapes the industry, ethical considerations take centre stage, especially regarding patient data privacy and the potential for algorithmic bias. The World Health Organization's recommendations reinforce the necessity for robust regulatory frameworks to ensure responsible AI use in healthcare. 

While AI brings significant benefits, the crucial role of human oversight cannot be overstated. AI serves as a valuable tool to assist healthcare professionals rather than replace them, with human judgement remaining essential in interpreting AI-generated data and making final treatment decisions. 

The year 2024 signifies a pivotal moment for AI in healthcare, showcasing its evolution from a conceptual idea to a practical tool enhancing patient care. This journey underscores the relentless pursuit of innovation in the medical field. As AI continues to progress, it holds the potential to unlock new dimensions in personalised patient care, making healthcare more efficient, precise, and tailored to individual needs. Challenges accompany this transformative journey, and the healthcare community must navigate them with a steadfast commitment to ethical practices, ensuring that AI integration enhances rather than compromises patient well-being.


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Valley Health System
Data Breach data compromised ESO Las Vegas Valley Hospitals Patient Data Valley Health System

Data Breach Incident Affects Several Las Vegas Valley Hospitals


In another cybersecurity incident in Las Vegas, cyber actors have targeted several Las Vegas Valley hospitals which may have resulted in the compromise of their patients’ sensitive information. 

The hospitals, part of the Valley Health System, include Centennial Hills, Desert Springs, Spring Valley, Summerlin, and Valley.

“So big question, how many people does it affect?” says Shannon Wilkinson, Chief Executive Officer for Tego Cyber.

Wilkinson runs a firm based in Las Vegas, that deals with cyber threats, he adds, “There’s one thing that I recommend that everybody does, and that is if you are not actively trying to get a loan, or get credit cards, or buy a car. Lock your credit.”

ESO, the company that suffered the data breach, is a third-party vendor that supplies software and other services to Valley Health's emergency medical services. One of the major concerns in regards to the breach is the timeline of when ESO detected the breach and when this news reached the online audience and the ones affected.

With respect to the issue, Valley Health System stated, “Letters were mailed to potentially affected individuals beginning on December 12, 2023.”

ESO notes that the firm detected the incident around September 28, following which they notified their “business associate” of the issue on October 27. 

Wilkinson stated that if hospitals have to shut down systems, these breaches may have an impact on patient care.

He notes that there is a direct link between hospital mortality and ransomware attacks, which target cyberspace, indicating that following a cyberattack like this, hospitals witness a rise in the death rate. However, Valley Health System confirms that the breach has not affected its emergency care. 

ESO further notes that it has taken all measures to prevent the data from getting leaked further. Moreover, ESO shared details of the measures that the victims of their data breach can take. 

ESO informs that the affected individual can contact its helpline between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. The company has urged the data breach victims to call ESO’s helpline at (866) 347-8525 with their queries, or even to confirm if they were affected.  

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Ziv Medical Center
Data Breach Data Leak hospital data Iran-based hacker group Israel Hospital Malek Team medical records Patient Data Ziv Medical Center

Malek Team: Iran-linked Hackers Claim to Leak Medical Records From Israeli Hospital


An alleged Iran-based hacker group has claimed responsibility for stealing thousands of medical records from an Israeli hospital and leaking them on online forums. The stolen data also includes medical information of Israeli soldiers. The hospital – Ziv Medical Center – is situated in the city of Safed, near the border of Syria and Lebanon. 

The hackers claim to have stolen 500GB of medical data dating back to 2022. The 700,000 documents purportedly contained patient medical and personal data, including disease types and prescribed medication.

Last weekend, the hacker group involved in the attack – Malek Team – after attacking the hospital, began releasing documents that included the ones containing data from the Israel Defense Force (IDF) on their Telegram channel.

While the hackers did not disclose when exactly they attacked the hospital, a warning was released last week by the Israeli National Cyber Directorate regarding an incident affecting Ziv Medical Center's computer systems.

The warning read, “The incident has been identified and contained without disrupting or affecting various systems and the operation of the medical center.” Taking precautions, the hospital temporarily took down its email server and some of its computer systems.

The security team has conducted an investigation on the issue, however, findings have yet to be released as of yet to ascertain whether or not there was an information leak. 

Israel’s newspaper The Jerusalem Post reported that this was not the first time Ziv Medical Center has fallen victim to a cyberattack. The hospital had suffered two other cyber incidents in four months. Local media outlets reported that Ziv's systems appeared to have leaked information, which was admitted by both the hospital and the Israeli privacy protection body.

Israeli officials have said that they are pursuing charges against those connected to the incident and have forbidden the use, transfer, or distribution of any information that has been disclosed.

Along with Israeli tech and media organizations, Malek Team also claimed responsibility for cyberattacks on other targets in Israel, such as Ono Academic College, which was previously targeted earlier in October.

In their ventures, the hackers have leaked several data pieces, including videos of university classes and admission interviews with students. Also, scans of victims’ passports and documents have also been released. However, the authenticity of this data has not been confirmed.

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