BORN Ontario Suffers Massive Data Breach

A significant data breach has hit the Better Outcomes Registry & Network (BORN), exposing the sensitive personal and health information of approximately 3.4 million individuals. BORN Ontario, a major perinatal and child registry, collects and shares essential data related to pregnancy, birth, and childhood.

The breach stemmed from a global vulnerability in the MOVEit software used by BORN for secure file transfers. Copies of files containing personal health information were taken from BORN’s systems during the breach.

The data in question includes names, addresses, postal codes, dates of birth, and health card numbers, along with clinical information such as dates of service or care, lab test results, pregnancy risk factors, type of birth, and procedures. The affected data spans from January 2010 to May 2023, mainly involving individuals seeking pregnancy care and newborns in Ontario.

Upon discovering the incident on May 31, 2023, BORN acted swiftly, posting a public notice and informing relevant authorities, including the Ontario Provincial Police and the Information and Privacy Commissioner (IPC) of Ontario. The organization collaborated with cybersecurity experts to isolate the affected server, contain the threat, and ensure its systems were safe to continue operating.

BORN has assured those impacted that there has been no evidence that suggests misuse of the stolen data for fraudulent purposes. Continuous internet monitoring, including the dark web, is being maintained to identify any relevant malicious activity. Furthermore, the registry has ceased using the MOVEit software that led to the breach.

BORN will continue to keep affected individuals informed and has established an “Am I Impacted” web page, covering more details on the breach and the types of care and providers affected. Despite the extensive breach, BORN maintains that no additional steps are necessary for the affected individuals at this time, apart from remaining vigilant towards unusual account activity and unsolicited communications requesting sensitive information.

The incident serves as a critical reminder of the increasing risks posed by cyber vulnerabilities, even in seemingly secure and essential systems such as healthcare registries. It highlights the urgent need for proactive cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive data and maintain public trust.