Radiology information systems provider reports data breach

Specialty Networks Inc., a provider of radiology information systems, reported a data breach on Thursday that may have impacted personal health information belonging to current and former patients.

The Chattanooga, Tennessee-based company—which also provides digital transcription services and enterprise practice management solutions—first noticed unusual activity on Dec. 18. Specialty Networks took immediate steps to secure its network and conducted a forensics investigation to deduce what data were compromised.

“Specialty Networks takes the security and privacy of personal information in its possession very seriously and has taken additional steps to prevent a similar event from occurring in the future,” the company said in an Aug. 15 announcement.

The company began notifying potentially impacted parties about the breach on Thursday. Specialty Network’s December investigation discovered that an “unauthorized actor” had acquired certain data stored within its systems. PPI released during the incident may have included names, dates of birth, driver’s license and Social Security numbers, medical records, treatment and condition details, diagnoses, and health insurance information.

Specialty Networks said it also notified covered entity providers in June. The company said it is offering individuals access to complimentary identity protection services through IDX. Those seeking further information can phone 888-678-3575, which is a toll-free number set up to answer questions about the breach.

The company is not to be confused with Ohio-based Specialty Networks, which was acquired by Cardinal Health earlier this year. This Specialty Networks was founded in 2004 as a PACS and currently has between 2-10 employees, according to its LinkedIn page. The company also has three imaging center locations in Chattanooga and Ringgold, Georgia.