WellLife Network Inc.

WellLife Network Inc., a New York-based provider of mental and behavioral health services, experienced a data breach that was first detected on September 7, 2023, due to suspicious activity within its network. The organization promptly initiated an investigation with the help of third-party cybersecurity specialists to determine the nature and scope of the incident[4].

The investigation revealed that between August 26, 2023, and September 7, 2023, an unauthorized actor gained access to certain WellLife systems and may have viewed or taken information contained therein. The types of information potentially impacted by this event include names, dates of birth, demographic information, and other personal or health information[4][6].

WellLife Network took immediate steps to investigate and respond to the event, assess the security of its network, and review and enhance its existing policies and procedures. The organization also reported the incident to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights, and applicable state regulators as required[4].

As a precautionary measure, WellLife Network encouraged potentially impacted individuals to remain vigilant against incidents of identity theft by reviewing account statements, credit reports, and explanations of benefits forms for unusual activity and to report any suspicious activity promptly[4].

For those seeking more information, WellLife Network provided a toll-free assistance line and additional steps individuals can take to help protect their information[4].

The breach was officially filed with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on November 6, 2023[1][2]. The exact number of individuals affected by the breach was not disclosed in the provided search results, but documents filed with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights indicated that at least 501 people were impacted[11][15].

The incident was part of a series of cyberattacks claimed by the INC ransomware gang, which has targeted multiple industries, including healthcare[11][12]. The ransomware gang added WellLife Network to its list of victims on November 17, 2023[11][19].

Citations:

1. https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/welllife-network-notifies-patients-of-3032538/
2. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/homestead-medical-experts_confidential-concept-colored-document-folders-activity-7136022389150162944-bfkN?trk=public_profile_like_view
3. https://www.welllifenetwork.org/sites/default/files/BusinessAssociateAgreement.pdf
4. https://www.welllifenetwork.org/content/notice-data-privacy-incident
5. https://www.expro.com
6. https://www.myinjuryattorney.com/data-breach-investigation-welllife-network/
7. https://www.welllifenetwork.org/sites/default/files/privacy_policy.pdf
8. https://www.welllifenetwork.org/website_policy/terms_of_use
9. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/homestead-medical-experts_falling-from-a-scaffold-in-new-york-can-be-activity-7136355789555785728-a7jm
10. https://atriaseniorliving.com
11. https://therecord.media/yamaha-welllife-network-confirm-cyberattacks
12. https://therecord.media/xerox-xbs-cyberattack
13. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28876.His_Majesty_s_Dragon
14. https://www.scmagazine.com/brief/ransomware-attacks-hit-yamaha-welllife-network
15. https://www.calhipaa.com/cyberattack-impacts-over-100000-individuals/
16. https://www.welllifenetwork.org/website_policy/compliance_policy
17. https://ocrportal.hhs.gov/ocr/breach/breach_report.jsf
18. https://casetext.com/case/alsaidi-v-welllife-network-inc
19. https://cybersecurityventures.com/ransomware-minute/
20. https://law.justia.com/cases/new-york/other-courts/2020/2020-ny-slip-op-20077.html
21. https://www.scmagazine.com/brief/potential-data-breach-disclosed-by-xerox-subsidiary