Youth Consultation Service
Your Personal Info Could Be
Exposed Online After
This Hospital Breach
Breach Description
Overview of the Youth Consultation Service (YCS) Data Breach Incident
In May 2021, Youth Consultation Service (YCS), a New Jersey-based organization providing services to families with children who have special needs, experienced a significant data breach. This incident compromised the sensitive information of individuals associated with YCS, including potentially names, contact information, Social Security numbers, driver’s licenses/state identification numbers, financial account information, medical information, and health insurance information.
What Happened?
Between April 13, 2021, and May 21, 2021, unauthorized individuals gained access to certain parts of YCS’s computer network. The breach was discovered on May 21, 2021, when YCS found its servers at the YCS Foundation location to be inaccessible. An investigation revealed that during this period, the intruders viewed and/or extracted certain files from the network[1].
Information Involved
The potentially compromised information varies by individual but may include:
- Names
- Contact information
- Social Security numbers
- Driver’s license/state identification numbers
- Financial account information
- Medical information (e.g., medical history, diagnosis, treatment information, physician information, prescription medication information)
- Health insurance information
As of the time of the notification, YCS reported no evidence of identity theft or fraud resulting from this incident[1].
Response and Mitigation Efforts
In response to the breach, YCS took several steps to mitigate the risk and prevent future incidents. These actions included:
- Changing user passwords
- Implementing enhanced technical safeguards
- Monitoring network activity for suspicious behavior with the assistance of third-party specialists
- Providing notification to potentially impacted individuals as quickly as possible
- Adapting existing employee training protocols relating to data protection and security
- Notifying federal law enforcement authorities and providing relevant regulatory notices, including notice to the Department of Health and Human Services[1].
Recommendations for Affected Individuals
YCS encouraged individuals to remain vigilant against incidents of identity theft and fraud by reviewing account statements and monitoring free credit reports for suspicious activity. They also provided information on how to obtain free credit reports from the three major credit reporting bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) and steps to take to help protect personal information[1].
Conclusion
The YCS data breach underscores the importance of robust cybersecurity measures and the need for organizations to be prepared to respond swiftly to such incidents. While YCS has taken steps to address the breach and support potentially impacted individuals, the incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges organizations face in protecting sensitive information against unauthorized access and cyber threats.
Citations:
- https://www.ycs.org/index.php/data-incident/
- https://www.njoag.gov/ag-grewal-nj-reaches-settlement-with-community-health-systems-over-data-breach-acute-care-hospital-operator-will-improve-data-security-pay-penalty/
- https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/bodycam-video-shows-n-j-officers-rescue-13-year-old-n1071396
- https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/data-breach-alert-youth-consultation-2532392/
- https://www.mass.gov/lists/data-breach-notification-letters-april-2022
- https://www.ycseonline.org
- https://www.mass.gov/doc/assigned-data-breach-number-26276-youth-consultation-service/download
- https://www.myinjuryattorney.com/consumer-privacy-data-breach-lawyers/
- https://completecarenj.org/about-completecare-nj/notice-of-cybersecurity-incident/
- https://law.justia.com/cases/new-jersey/appellate-division-unpublished/2008/a4336-06-opn.html
- https://www.ycseonline.org/ycs-inside-ycs/Inside%20YCS%20Vol%203.pdf
- https://www.nj.gov/dcf/families/school/
- https://apps.web.maine.gov/online/aeviewer/ME/40/f6095f78-075d-45cf-80c7-750b16077b4d.shtml
- https://www.doj.nh.gov/consumer/security-breaches/documents/youth-consultation-20220404.pdf
- https://casetext.com/case/ross-v-youth-consultation-serv-inc
- https://www.ycs.org