Laptop encryption is vital not only from a perspective of providing protection against laptop theft but also from a view of ensuring the data present inside laptop is secure and upto date.

A couple of months back, an employee for a company that processes dental benefits claims filed for a stolen car report. Apparently, the vehicle’s trunk contained an ‘un-secure/unencrypted’ laptop which had loads of patient information. On learning about the incident, the New Mexico Human Services Department started sending notification messages to nearly 10,000 users of the government’s low-income health insurance program about potential for ID theft.

The information of patients included:

• Name
• Health plan identification number
• A provider identification number but not the name of the provider

Additionally, the agency has also notified 9,500 New Mexicans who use its Medicaid Salud plan about a possible security breach.

Apart from notification letters, the group has set up a toll-free call line through DentaQuest, 1-877-453-8424, to address queries  from people affected by the incident. The helpline operates from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. MDT, Monday through Friday.

According to the agency, “The computer was password protected but otherwise did not have safeguards to prevent unauthorized access to the information. At this time, the stolen car and laptop have not been recovered and it is not known whether the information on the laptop has been accessed.”

The theft and security breach has been reported to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Stay Secure with Alertsec

Alertsec is the frontrunner in offering hard disk encryption as a fully managed service. We provide protection for all information stored on laptops and PCs in an easy, convenient, and cost-effective way. Alertsec Xpress is powered by Check Point Full Disk Encryption – the global leader in data encryption software with millions of users worldwide! For more information, visit our website right now.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Encrypting part of /home (bgoglin.livejournal.com)
• Health insurance will be reformed by a little known department (kevinmd.com)
• Security Breach Threatens Soldiers’ & Civilians’ Personal Information (homesecuritysource.com)