NEW JERSEY COMPUTER STOLEN http://www.app.com/article/20110718/NJNEWS/307180099/1004/NEWS01&source=rss

Jul. 18, 2011

How many Meridian employees affected by computer theft remains secret

It is still unclear how many Meridian Health employees could be affected by the theft of computer equipment containing certain personal information about them.

Last month, Meridian computer equipment was stolen during a burglary at an employee’s home in Asbury Park, authorities said.

A Meridian spokesman has said employees at various company sites were notified about the theft, but has declined to say how many workers are affected.

“In order to protect our team members and not interfere with the ongoing investigation by law enforcement, we are not commenting at this time,’’ Robert Cavanaugh, a Meridian Health spokesman said Monday when asked to provide the number of employees whose data was stored on that equipment.

Meanwhile, Asbury Park police said that although they received a report from the burglary victim about the missing computer hardware, they have not received any further report about the data that was on the stolen equipment.

“The hardware was reported missing to us by the victim,’’ said Detective Capt. Anthony Salerno. “None of the information that may have been on, or connected to, the hardware was reported to the police department.’’

The burglary occurred sometime between 2 a.m. and 7 a.m. June 25 at a home on Locust Drive in the city.

The 55-year-old victim told police she left a window open before going to bed, and when she awoke, the window had been opened more and her screen had been cut.

The computer equipment – a laptop and seven thumb drives – a bicycle, credit cards and a television were among the items stolen, police said.

Citing the ongoing police investigation, Cavanaugh also had declined to say what position that woman held at the company and whether she was authorized to bring the computer equipment home.

Cavanaugh said police do not believe the computer data was a specific target of the burglary nor do they have any indication that employee information was accessed.

Still, Cavanaugh said Meridian has hired an outside expert to review its policies and procedures, and will also pay for three years of “comprehensive identity theft protection’’ for employees whose data was on the stolen equipment.

Meridian operates Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank, Ocean Medical Center in Brick, Southern Ocean Medical Center in Stafford and Bayshore Community Hospital in Holmdel. Its partner companies include rehabilitation centers and home health services.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Asbury Park Detective Daniel Kowsaluc at 732-502-2578.

7:59 PM, Jul. 18, 2011