Genetic profiling company 23andMe is currently investigating a data scraping incident where private user information was stolen from its website. The confirmation came five days after an undisclosed entity advertised the sale of private data of millions of 23andMe users on an online crime forum. The alleged stolen data included details like origin estimation, phenotype, health records, photographs, and other identification data. Speculation arose that the CEO of 23andMe knew about this breach two months prior and had kept it under wraps. However, in response, a representative of the company contested that there's no proof of 'health information' being part of the posted data and currently, these are just unverified claims.

It is crucial to have a Cybersecurity Action Plan for Protecting Personal Health Data because personal health data is sensitive and valuable information. A well-designed plan helps safeguard this data from unauthorized access, cyber threats, and potential misuse, ensuring privacy and maintaining trust between individuals and healthcare providers. Additionally, protecting personal health data reduces the risk of identity theft, fraud, and financial loss while also preserving the integrity and accuracy of medical records. Implementing a cybersecurity action plan promotes compliance with relevant data protection regulations, fosters a culture of security awareness, and contributes to overall digital safety.

Our health and lifestyle data is everywhere.  This article outlines four steps that anyone can take to create a more complete, layered defense to protect personal information from attackers.