Data Breach Exposes Data of Thousands of Medical Marijuana Patients

Data Breach Exposes Data of Thousands of Medical Marijuana Patients

The breach exposed diagnostic results, healthcare numbers and personal contact information.

  • By Sydny Shepard
  • Mar 29, 2019

A Canadian medical cannabis company has revealed that the information of about 34,000 patients may have been exposed in a data breach incident. 

Sunniva explained that the electronic medial record systems used by their subsidiary, Natural Health Services (NHS), had been breached. Patients were informed of the cyberattack on the last week of the breach, which took place between Dec. 4, 2018 through Jan. 7, 2019. 

NHS announced that the breach did not involve any financial, credit card, or social insurance number information, since that information is not collected from patients.

However, personal injury firm Diamond and Diamond, which has proposed a class-action against NHS and Sunniva, argued that the breach exposed diagnostic results, healthcare numbers and personal contact information.

The Canadian Press reported that NHS, which operates seven clinics in Canada, is working with privacy protection and law enforcement authorities to get to the bottom of the breach and to mitigate the damage it may have caused.

"We value our patients and understand the importance of protecting personal information and apologizing to the patients whose personal information has been improperly accessed and for any frustration or inconvenience that this may cause," NHS president Dr. Mark Kimmins said in a statement.

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

Featured

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

  • Survey: 48 Percent of Worshippers Feel Less Safe Attending In-Person Services

    Almost half (48%) of those who attend religious services say they feel less safe attending in-person due to rising acts of violence at places of worship. In fact, 39% report these safety concerns have led them to change how often they attend in-person services, according to new research from Verkada conducted online by The Harris Poll among 1,123 U.S. adults who attend a religious service or event at least once a month. Read Now

  • AI Used as Part of Sophisticated Espionage Campaign

    A cybersecurity inflection point has been reached in which AI models has become genuinely useful in cybersecurity operation. But to no surprise, they can used for both good works and ill will. Systemic evaluations show cyber capabilities double in six months, and they have been tracking real-world cyberattacks showing how malicious actors were using AI capabilities. These capabilities were predicted and are expected to evolve, but what stood out for researchers was how quickly they have done so, at scale. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation.

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis.

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.