TMCnet News

LifeWise Announces Cyberattack, Offers Protection For Affected Individuals
[March 17, 2015]

LifeWise Announces Cyberattack, Offers Protection For Affected Individuals


MOUNTLAKE TERRACE, Wash., March 17, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, LifeWise announced the organization has been the target of a cyberattack. 

On January 29, 2015, LifeWise discovered that cyberattackers had executed a sophisticated attack to gain unauthorized access to its Information Technology (IT) systems.  LifeWise's investigation further revealed that the initial attack occurred on May 5, 2014. As part of its investigation, LifeWise notified the FBI and is coordinating with the Bureau's investigation into this attack.  LifeWise also worked closely with Mandiant, one of the world's leading cybersecurity firms, to conduct a comprehensive investigation of the incident and to remove the infection created by the attack. 

"The security of LifeWise's members' personal information remains a top priority. We at LifeWise take this issue seriously and sincerely regret the concern it may cause," said Jeff Roe, with LifeWise. "As much as possible, we want to make this event our burden, not that of the affected individuals, by making services available today to help protect people's information."

This incident affected LifeWise Health Plan of Washington, LifeWise Health Plan of Oregon, and LifeWise Assurance Company. It also affected LifeWise Health Plan of Arizona, which no longer does business in that state. LifeWise's investigation determined that the attackers may have gaind unauthorized access to members' information, which could include members' name, date of birth, Social Security number, mailing address, email address, telephone number, member identification number, bank account information, and claims information, including clinical information. Individuals who do business with LifeWise and provided the company with their email address, personal bank account number, or Social Security number are also affected.  



The investigation has not determined that any such data was removed from LifeWise's systems.  LifeWise also has no evidence to date that such data has been used inappropriately.

LifeWise is beginning to mail letters to approximately 250,000 affected individuals today and is providing two years of free credit monitoring and identity theft protection services to those individuals.  LifeWise also has established a dedicated call center for its members and other affected individuals. More information can be found at: www.lifewiseupdate.com. The information involved in this incident dates back to 2002 and individuals who believe they are affected by this cyberattack but who have not received a letter by April 20, 2015, are encouraged to call the number listed at that website.


Along with steps taken to cleanse its IT system of issues raised by this cyberattack, LifeWise is taking additional actions to strengthen and enhance the security of its IT systems moving forward.

Additional information about LifeWise's response to this cyberattack can be found at www.lifewiseupdate.com.

About LifeWise

LifeWise is a member of a family of companies based in Mountlake Terrace, Wash., providing health, life, vision, dental, stop-loss, disability, workforce wellness and other related products and services. The family of companies employs over 3,600 people and provides healthcare coverage and related services to over 2 million members.

Contact:
Melanie Coon
Senior Communications Manager, Media Relations
[email protected]
(425) 918-6238

 

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lifewise-announces-cyberattack-offers-protection-for-affected-individuals-300051915.html

SOURCE LifeWise


[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]