630 CHED - CHEDAM

ALBERTA (UPDATE) CAPITAL HEALTH PRIVACY BREACH 630 CHED - CHEDAM

Capital Health Privacy Breach

Nov, 15 2007 - 6:20 AM

EDMONTON/ALBERTA - A spokesman for Capital Health in Edmonton says the health region is tightening its computer security measures after a computer memory stick containing the files of 270 patients was stolen along with a doctor's purse.

Steve Buick says by January, all laptops used by the region should be encrypted, which would make it harder to get at that kind of information. He says there should also be a lot less information ever going on portable computer devices, because of changes Capital Health will make to its central computer file storage area.

A pediatrician working at Edmonton's Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital was carrying the information on the cases of 270 children on a computer memory stick in her purse, when the bag was stolen this summer from a locked drawer in her office.

Frank Work, Alberta's privacy commissioner, has warned that computer security breaches are reaching an all-time high. He says password protection just isn't enough, and says that all personal information on laptops should be encrypted.

This breach of privacy comes shortly after Edmonton Catholic School District revealed the theft of student information from a bus employee. And just two weeks after a social worker's personal files were stolen and left in a dumpster.

(JMA)

- Canadian Press