City of Hope

The City of Hope in California experienced a data breach involving the theft of two password-protected computers containing patient information. Although the computers were password protected, the incident raised concerns about the potential exposure of patient data. Law enforcement did not believe the theft was targeted at obtaining patient information[1]. In a separate incident, City of Hope reported a phishing email attack that occurred in January 2016, which led to unauthorized access to the email accounts of four staff members. Three of these accounts contained protected health information such as patient names, medical record numbers, dates of birth, addresses, and other clinical information[3][7].

Following the breach, City of Hope took measures to improve security by encrypting all protected health information stored on laptops. The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) also conducted an investigation, which resulted in the medical center enhancing its physical safeguards and retraining employees[5]. The phishing attack highlighted the importance of anti-phishing training for staff to help identify and prevent similar incidents in the future[7].

Citations:

1. https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/City%20of%20HopeSutherland%20Breach%20Notice_0.pdf
2. https://www.linkedin.com/company/city-of-hope
3. https://www.trendmicro.com/vinfo/it/security/news/cybercrime-and-digital-threats/cancer-treatment-center-data-breach-affects-info-of-2-2-million-patients
4. https://www.latimes.com
5. https://privacyrights.org/data-breaches/city-hope-national-medical-center
6. https://www.reuters.com
7. https://www.hipaajournal.com/email-accounts-compromised-city-of-hope-hospital-phishing-attack-3344/
8. https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2024-02-13/winter-storm-hits-northeast-causing-difficult-driving-closed-schools-and-canceled-flights
9. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20140311005413/en/City-of-Hope-Responding-to-Theft-at-Billing-Contractor-That-Led-to-Potential-Privacy-Breach-for-Some-Patients
10. https://www.cityofbuford.com
11. https://casetext.com/case/city-of-hope-nat-med-ctr-v-genentech-inc
12. https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com
13. https://www.bizjournals.com/losangeles/news/2016/03/07/city-of-hope-is-l-a-s-latest-health-system-hit-by.html
14. https://www.phoenix.gov
15. https://www.horvitzlevy.com/city-of-hope-nat-medical-center-v-genentech-inc
16. https://www.childrensmercy.org