Earlier this month, a third-party vendor removed electronic security safeguards from a Santa Barbara, Calif.-based Cottage Health System server without informing hospital officials, exposing the information of 32,500 patients.
The affected patients had received treatment at Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital in Solvang, Calif., and Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital between Sept. 29, 2009 and Dec. 2, 2013. The server contained the patients' names, dates of birth, addresses and some health information.
When the breach was discovered, the server was removed from service and affected patients were notified. Hospital officials do not believe the exposed information has been accessed or used.
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