Technology

Hackers may have postal employees’ medical records

That September cyber breach affected more current and former Postal employees than the 800,000 first reported.

Federal News Radio Custom Media@WTOPWFEDcustom

January 5, 2015 10:59 am

2 min read

Hackers who broke into the Postal Service’s information systems in September may have accessed up to 485,000 people’s medical records, the agency now says. Potential victims include current and former postal employees who filed injury compensation claims between November 1980 and August 2012. Some of those who had left the Postal Service years ago learned of the breach just last month, when they received individual letters from the Postal Service detailing their particular situations. While the data accessed varies by case, it can include victims’ names, addresses and Social Security numbers in addition to their medical information, said agency spokesman Dave Partenheimer. The Postal Service has arranged for all of the victims to receive a free year of credit monitoring, he said. But, he added, the agency is not aware of any identity theft crimes or other malicious use of the compromised data. The FBI continues to lead an investigation into the attack. The Postal Service waited until November to break the news of the cyber attack to its employees, leading to criticism by surprised labor unions and members of Congress. The National Association of Letter Carriers has filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board alleging the agency failed to bargain with the union over the impact of the security breach. Postmaster General Pat Donahoe apologized for the breach. At the time, he said it may have impacted up to 800,000 current and former postal employees. He cited the FBI investigation in explaining why he had waited to address workers. The breach of medical files was first reported by NextGov.com. It comes as tensions mount between between the Postal Service and its employees amid the agency’s attempts to cut costs. The Postal Service this month is closing up to 82 mail processing facilities and delaying delivery of first-class mail. It expects the changes to affect about 15,000 employees and save $750 million per year. The agency posted $5.5 billion in losses for fiscal 2014. Donahoe, who is retiring next month, is scheduled to give a farewell speech tomorrow at the National Press Club. RELATED STORIES: Cyber breach at Postal Service leaves employees vulnerable Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe to retire Senate gridlock forces Postal board into emergency committee