United Group Insurance

Iowa health officials report data breach

News

March 7th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa health officials say a breach of personal information relating to some child and dependent adult abuse cases in Polk County took place over five years. The state Department of Human Services announced Friday that the information of more than 2,000 individuals was included in the breach, though there are no reports it’s been misused.

The agency says two workers used personal emails accounts, storage accounts and electronic devices for work purposes, beginning in 2008. That is a violation of department policy. The information included names, mailing addresses, Social Security numbers and other data. Letters have been mailed to the affected individuals to alert them, and they’ve been offered free credit monitoring.

Officials say appropriate personnel action has been taken, but they did not elaborate.