Several dental companies have experienced cyberattacks this year.
Here are three cases Becker's has reported on since Sept. 6:
1. Birmingham, Ala.-based Just Kids Dental experienced a cyberattack affecting 129,463 people in August. The dental practice said a program was used to encrypt its computer systems and data, including systems used to store patient and employee files. The practice said no banking or credit card information was accessed.
The practice said it was told by the malicious actor responsible for the incident that the data was deleted and not distributed. The practice added that it has taken steps to restore its systems and strengthen its security measures.
2. Delta Dental of California was affected by a data breach on the MOVEit file transfer software. Progress, which provides the MOVEit software, disclosed the vulnerability on its software May 31. The attack on MOVEit affected an estimated 2,500 organizations worldwide.
The company said it is investigating which information was affected and will notify individuals associated with the information once the investigation is complete.
3. Associates in Pediatric Dentistry, which has four offices in Louisiana, was hit with a data breach earlier this year affecting 9,703 patients.
The practice launched an investigation after experiencing unusual activity in its email system. It determined that certain email accounts were accessed without authorization between Jan. 27 and Feb. 8. Some emails and attachments with patient information may have also been viewed or copied. The practice said it implemented additional security measures and notified patients whose information may have been involved in the breach.