Colonial Behavioral Health Data Breach: A Comprehensive Overview
On December 2nd, 2024, Colonial Behavioral Health (CBH) filed an official data breach notice with the Massachusetts Attorney General. This followed the discovery of unauthorized access to portions of their IT network. The incident, which began on May 17th, 2024, involved a ransomware attack that compromised sensitive consumer information. CBH’s official notice details the extent of the breach and the steps taken in response.
The Extent of the Behavioral Health Data Breach
The unauthorized access, initially detected on October 24th, 2024, when CBH experienced network issues, allowed the attacker to access files and folders containing confidential consumer data. The compromised information varied depending on the individual but potentially included:
- Names
- Social Security numbers
- Addresses
- ZIP codes
- Driver’s license numbers
- Dates of birth
- Medical information
- Insurance information
CBH completed its investigation and began sending data breach notification letters to affected individuals on November 27th, 2024. These letters detailed the specific information compromised for each recipient.
What Caused the Colonial Behavioral Health Data Breach?
While the full details surrounding the cause of the Colonial Behavioral Health data breach are still emerging, the initial investigation points to a ransomware attack that started on May 17th, 2024. The unauthorized party gained access to the CBH network on this date and remained undetected until October 24th, when network issues alerted CBH to the breach. Upon discovering the intrusion, CBH immediately took steps to contain the attack and engaged external cybersecurity experts to investigate the incident and determine the full extent of the data compromise.
Colonial Behavioral Health: Company Profile and Response
Colonial Behavioral Health is a healthcare services provider located in Williamsburg, Virginia. It serves James City County, the City of Poquoson, the City of Williamsburg, and York County, providing treatment for various behavioral and mental health conditions, including substance use disorder. Employing over 242 people, CBH generates approximately $18 million in annual revenue. Their response to the breach involved a swift investigation with the help of cybersecurity experts, followed by the notification of affected individuals and the filing of the official data breach notice with the Massachusetts Attorney General.
The Importance of Legal Counsel After a Data Breach
Following a data breach of this magnitude, individuals affected by the Colonial Behavioral Health data breach are urged to take proactive steps to protect themselves from potential fraud or identity theft. Seeking advice from a data breach lawyer is recommended to understand available legal options and strategies for mitigating the risks associated with compromised personal information. This includes exploring potential avenues for compensation and redress for the harm caused by the breach.
