OREGON (UPDATE) COMPUTERS STOLEN http://blog.alertsec.com/2011/02/burglary-at-bend-ophthalmology-clinic-five-dell-computers-stolen/

Burglary at Bend Ophthalmology Clinic, Five Dell Computers Stolen

February 5th, 2011 by adminLeave a reply »

Computer theft from Bend Ophthalmology

When an incident like laptop or computer theft took place in organization, so many questions arise before authorities like what about the data security and private information of their customers and how much the breach will affect personal information? If the organizations were really concerned about the security of their confidential information, they would have used the encryption software like Alertsec Xpress.

Burglary of three Laptops and two Desktop Computers

Recently five computers including three Laptops and two Desktops were stolen from an eye clinic in Bend, Oregon. These computers were stolen last week from the Ophthalmology. Officer Elizabeth Lawrence said, the burglars threw a lava rock through a sliding glass door in the back of the business, and then unscrewed an exterior light fixture to avoid being seen and made it less apparent that the glass was broken.

According to Bend police statement, “Five computers were stolen from Bend Ophthalmology after the close of business Wednesday and before opening Thursday morning”. Police said that thieves took off with three Dell laptops and two Dell desktops from the office, which is housed inside the Pilot Butte Medical Clinic on 2275 SE Doctors Dr. in Bend.

There is no indication of whether there was any protected health information (PHI) on the stolen computers or not. But it’s pretty likely that there was PHI on the computers and data encryption software was not used.

Protected Health Information

According to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, “Protected health information (PHI) is any information about health status, provision of health care, or payment for health care that can be linked to a specific individual. This is interpreted rather broadly and includes any part of a patient’s medical record or payment history”. The hard drives should be encrypted so they are not readable if placed in another computer. But the stolen computers were only password protected andencryption software was not used in them. The organization should have to notify the relevant authorities if there is PHI on those machines.

Adequate Protection Measures were not used

There was only a glass door for the protection of the computers. It seems that the organizations like Bend Ophthalmology are not using the adequate protection measures. Medical providers should run a risk analysis on a regular basis to address the issues like this and for the data protection.

Police said they had no suspects yet and doesn’t know whether there was adequate protection on those computers or not. And if you see anything in the area related to this issue, you are asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-977-876-TIPS. Police is offering cash reward on the information and assured that the person can remain anonymous also.

How Alertsec Xpress Would Have Helped

This news exemplifies the need for data protection applications like Data encryption software andLaptop encryption. In an incident which highlights the need of a data security and recovery software, the threat could have simply been reduced to an insurance matter by a mere investment of $13/month. The information would have been secure with no loss what so ever. That is certainly a small price to pay compared to what can happen if you lose confidential or sensitive data. Alertsec Xpress offers a very good and easy-to-use laptop security service that includes more than the traditional software licensing model. Feel free to subscribe for your personal 30-day free trial.

Related articles

• More on data security and communication (translucid.ca)
• Laptop Security – Are You Following Good Security Practices When Traveling?(lockergnome.com)
• Dell Introduces File Level Encryption (informationweek.com)
• Juror sees her own stolen stuff in burglary trial (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• Privacy at risk after burglary at doctor’s office (cbc.ca)