Rape & Brooks Orthodontics

On February 4, 2011, covered entity’s (CE) facility was broken into and a computer server, three desktop computers, and an external hard drive were stolen, affecting the demographic, clinical and financial information of approximately 20,744 individuals. The CE, Rape & Brooks Orthodontics, P.C., provided breach notification to HHS, affected individuals, and the media. As a result of this incident, the CE increased physical security by upgrading its alarm system, changing and installing additional locks, and storing its server in a locked data closet. The CE also improved technical safeguards by implementing double-layered password protection on its computers and encrypting data on external hard drives. OCR obtained and reviewed the CE’s relevant HIPAA policies and procedures.