Healthcare information data breaches

When it comes to avoiding what can be incredibly damaging healthcare information data breaches, prevention over reaction is absolutely key.

In fact, just this morning, we’ve heard about the Labour Party reportedly being hit by a “large and sophisticated cyber-attack”. Our understanding is that the attack on its digital platforms failed, and the reason for the failure is reportedly due to the party’s “robust security systems”.

So, there you have it. Just as we’re about to give you our expert advice about the need for the healthcare sector to focus on prevention, we have just seen what may be the perfect example to compare it to. The long and short of it all is that all organisations must take all reasonable steps to ensure their cybersecurity is robust in order to prevent events taking place.

Healthcare information data breaches can be devastating

It’s not rocket science to know that healthcare information data breaches can be absolutely devastating for the victims.

Medical information is usually the most personal and sensitive type of data that there is. It’s information that most people will want to remain private, and we don’t want it exposed or used against us for ransomware.

Medical data breach compensation claims are one of the most common types of legal cases that we deal with. The reasons for this can be numerous: from the fact that victims can be hit the hardest and will want to make a claim, or due to the fact that the NHS is a target for cybercriminals. We saw from the 2017 WannaCry incident just how badly the NHS can be hit, with some estimates putting the cost of the fallout from that one at almost £100m.

Prevention can be easy

It can be simple and straightforward to prevent devastating healthcare information data breaches, and this is another factor that we take into account when we take legal cases forward.

If an NHS breach could – and should – have been prevented, that fact can pave the way for successful claim for data breach compensation.

We can look at things such as whether updated systems and security could have prevented a breach. We can also assess whether staff training, policies and procedures could have avoided a leak or breach.

When it comes to the use of systems and staff training, we can look at infamous incidents like the 56 Dean Street Clinic leak, and the more recent Charing Cross GIC incident. We’re representing victims for both of these leaks and we believe that they could both have been avoided through the use of better systems and with better policies, procedures and staff training.

Making a claim for data breach compensation

The importance of preventing healthcare information data breaches simply cannot be overstated. All healthcare organisations – from the NHS to private entities – must do all they can in their power to reduce the risks of events taking place.

Today’s news of the Labour Party cyber-attack appears to demonstrate the importance of this. With the Party saying that the attack has been defended as a result of their robust systems, you can clearly see the importance of investing in proper cybersecurity.

The BA Group Action may result in the airline paying around £3bn in compensation settlements. This could have all been avoided with better cybersecurity, and when you take into account the amount of money breach events can cost, you can see why prevention is always the best approach. The healthcare sector would be wise to take heed of examples like the BA breach.

Despite these obvious facts, breaches still occur. When they do, victims can speak to our team for expert help and advice about their options.

Police computer data breach advice

How the BA data protection breach was easily avoidable