Community Health Systems Hack Affects 4.5 Million Patients [...]

📅 August 19, 2014 - Chinese hackers have struck again, this time targeting dozens of U.S. hospitals under the Tennessee based hospital chain, Community Health Systems.

On Monday the hospital operator announced that the attackers compromised 4.5 million patient's personal data sometime between April and June, which include names, addresses, phone numbers, birth dates, and Social Security numbers, reports The New York Times.

The hackers were able to gain access to the hospitals systems by bypassing its security systems, though Community Health Systems noted that patient's credit cards, medical, or clinical information had not been stolen.

According to security firm Mandiant, the attackers were part of an “advanced group” in China that is known for stealing medical devices and equipment development data.

Community Health Systems oversees 206 hospitals in 29 states, with its biggest presence in Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Texas, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, and Tennessee.