Inogen Inc. have reported a medical data breach involving some 30,000 customers where the improper access of personal information occurred.
Medical data breaches are a real concern, and medical device data breaches are a current issue given that medical devices in this day and age can be computer controlled and are “smart” devices that can send data from patients to servers elsewhere.
While smart medical devices could undoubtedly save lives as the flow of data can be vitally important for patient wellbeing, medical device data breaches are a monumental worry, which is why any medial data breach involving a device-maker is a cause for alarm.
The company at the centre of this recent medical data breach, Inogen Inc., make portable devices that can supply oxygen to patients suffering with breathing difficulties. It’s understood that financial information was leaked when an employee’s email account was compromised sometime between January and March this year.
Although victims may be entitled to claim for medial data breach compensation, Inogen has reportedly confessed that their insurance may not be adequate enough to deal with the costs of the breach, which is an ongoing concern across the board for largescale data breaches. Victims must have indemnity to ensure that organisations who are in breach of vital data laws are able to duly compensate the victims.
Medical device data open to exposure?
We already know that the healthcare sector is predominantly at the top when it comes to the most data breaches. Given the increasing use of technology in the healthcare sector, it’s clear that enough must be done to prevent medical device data breaches that could endanger patients’ lives.
If the function of a medical device was interrupted or switched off due to a hack or a breach, a patient may be seriously harmed or may die as a result of the breach.
In this story, were talking about a medical device-maker who has been breached, but not the device itself; but, this case can highlight the obvious risks for device-makers who must ensure their products are secure.
Our Data Leak Lawyers can offer specialist help and representation for victims of a medical data breaches. Please don’t hesitate to contact the team for more information.