Welcome To The Data Leak Lawyers Blog

NHS data compensation claims set to rise

NHS data compensation claims could be set to keep rising as news of substandard systems hit the media headlines this month.

We can tell you from experience that a large proportion of the people we help for individual and group action / multi-party cases are for NHS data breach compensation claims. Worryingly, recent investigation results led to MPs reportedly branding some NHS systems as ‘unfit for purpose’, with other systems branded as ‘hopeless’, which doesn’t fill patients with confidence at all.

Part of the problem is understood to be the variety of systems used, and the age of some of the IT the NHS are relying upon.

read more

By Author

Questions over health apps data security

Questions have been raised over health apps data security, as research indicates that some apps may be leaking data and sharing information without users really knowing about it.

Recent studies indicated that many health apps are sharing information with dozens of companies, including to marketing companies and digital advertising firms. Questions have been raised over whether the privacy policies for these apps are clear enough in explaining just how far the data they collect and share goes.

At the end of the day, when you download a health app, it’s for your personal use for monitoring your wellbeing or tracking your medication intake, as examples. Is it really fair to expect that your data will then be shared far and wide, and passed to companies for marketing purposes?

read more

By Author

Hackers selling stolen medical records online

It’s true that there’s an issue with hackers selling stolen medical records, normally on the dark web. The problems this can cause for victims can be huge.

Some people may not even be aware that their medical data has been stolen. Even the organisation(s) the data has been stolen from may not (yet) even be aware. Some victims of medical record hacks find out because of an instance of online exposure, or even successful or attempted cases of identity theft.

Claims for medical data breach compensation are some of the most common types of cases we deal with. The healthcare sector is a target, so know your rights if you end up being the victim of hackers selling stolen medical records related to you.

read more

By Author

Healthcare cybersecurity still a cause for concern

Recent study findings suggest that healthcare cybersecurity is still a cause for concern, with the healthcare industry itself a prime target for cybercriminals.

Underfunding and a lack of understanding by bosses means there are still huge gaps and vulnerabilities when it comes to healthcare cybersecurity, putting countless people’s private and sensitive medical data at risk of leaks and hacks.

It’s a simple case of pace: the healthcare industry doesn’t appear to be able to keep up to speed with the pace of the cybercriminals who are targeting them.

read more

By Author

Will fingerprint systems prevent data thefts in the healthcare industry?

In the digital era, the safety of data has been a huge concern for many industries. The healthcare industry has always been a prime target for cyberattackers, and it’s one of the industries that suffers the highest number of breaches.

There’s no surprise as to why this is the case. Medical records are seen as a treasure trove because they usually contain a wealth of personal information – enough information gathered for someone to seriously blackmail a victim, or perhaps even commit identity fraud.

Medical information is sensitive – so will new tech save us from future scandals?
read more

By Author

Medical data still the most commonly breached information

Healthcare breaches are common, but it can also be a case of them being more likely to be reported. Whichever way you look at it, something needs to be done about the continually growing trend of medical data breaches.

All those who work in the healthcare sector have a duty to not disclose, mishandle, or misuse a patients’ personal information. In fact, this is the very foundation of a patient / doctor relationship. However, while most people believe their personal information is protected, data breaches by the NHS and the healthcare sector remain far too common.
read more

By Author

Abbott to recall 465,000 pacemakers to patch up hacking risk

Another cybersecurity risk involving medical devices. These are, of course, very concerning.

Global healthcare and research firm Abbott is reportedly recalling 465,000 of their pacemakers after discovering a security vulnerability that could expose the medical device to malicious hackers. The recalled devices will have software updated to “reduce the risk of patient harm due to potential exploitation of cybersecurity vulnerabilities“, regulators confirm.

According to reports, hackers could “access a patient’s device using commercially available equipment” and “modify programming commands to the implanted pacemaker, which could result in patient harm from rapid battery depletion or administration of inappropriate pacing.”
read more

By Author

Smiths Medical confirms drug pump hacking vulnerability

Manufacturer of Medfusion 4000 drug pumps, Smiths Medical, has confirmed their medical devices are vulnerable to cyberattacks and could be hacked into remotely.

Hackers may be able to take control of the device and stop it from working, therefore preventing lifesaving drugs being administered to patients.

The manufacturer supplies its drug pumps to hospitals across the globe. It is not known how many of these devices are in use here in the U.K.
read more

By Author

Medical device industry falling behind on cyber security

The need for Cyber security is no longer an option – it’s needed, thanks to a real risk to all who live in modern society.

If you have a mobile phone, an email account, a bank account – anything that links you to the digital world where masses of information is stored online – you can be at risk. Even seeing your GP or having an operation opens you up to data breaches. How do you know a hospital receptionist won’t accidentally send your medical files into the public domain? Or perhaps your GP uses an old version of windows with a number of security faults that open patient databases vulnerable to data hacks?

The medical industry is under huge and constant threats of data breaches; but is there enough being done to protect it?
read more

By Author

Threat to Johnson & Johnson’s cyber-security could lead to insulin overdose

Another hacking scandal comes from beneath the murky waters of the World Wide Web.

This time, it’s Johnson & Johnson.

The pharmaceutical manufacturers are warning patients of a cyber-attack where a hacker is thought to have access to the medical pumps that could administer more insulin than necessary, causing diabetic patients to overdose.

It goes without saying, this is a potentially serious issue.
read more

By Author