UPDATED: 15,928 Individuals affected by County Cybersecurity Incident, including Social Security Numbers, Medical Information

Updated 2/22/2024 to include the number of affected individuals

HAGERSTOWN, MD News (2/2/2024) – Almost a year and a half after the incident, Washington County Government has disclosed the nature of personal information which was compromised during the Thanksgiving Day 2022 cyber attack. On January 8, 2024, the county notified affected individuals whose personal information was compromised during the incident.

The county was severely impacted by a cybersecurity incident November 24, 2022, prompting an immediate response to secure the network and conduct an investigation into the incident’s nature and scope. The subsequent inquiry revealed unauthorized copying of certain files between November 22, 2022, and November 24, 2022. Washington County has since undergone a thorough review of these files, determining the potential exposure of sensitive information.

Affected individuals, whose data may include names, contact details, Social Security numbers, driver’s license or state identification numbers, passport numbers, financial account information, medical details, and health insurance information, have been notified now that the county reconciled the information and confirmed accurate contact details.

To further assist impacted individuals, Washington County has mailed notices with information about the incident. As an added precaution, affected individuals are being provided with credit monitoring and identity theft protection services at no cost. Instructions on how to enroll in these services accompany the mailed letters.

According to Washington County Government, the number of affected individuals was 15,928.

A full copy of the “Notice of Data Event” is below.

Radio Free Hub City was informed of the notifications as part of Washington County’s response to our complaint to the Maryland Public Information Act Compliance Board, when our request for the information contained in the notifications was denied on August 22, 2023. As the notices fulfill our request, we have informed the PIA Compliance Board that the county’s notice fulfills our request, and that the complaint may be withdrawn or closed as resolved. We would like to thank the PIA Compliance Board and PIA Ombudsman for their assistance in helping us obtain this information, and ensure that affected individuals were properly notified of the compromise of personal information, and thank Washington County Government for finally notifying affected individuals of the compromise of their personal information.

Story by Ken Buckler, Managing Editor and President

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