On July 31, 2023, The New Mexico Department of Health addressed a security incident and reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding residents' sensitive information.
The incident, which came to their attention on July 15, 2023, involved the discovery that a file cabinet donated to Habitat for Humanity contained files that may have exposed certain personal information of a specific group of individuals according to a press release.
The New Mexico Department of Health's privacy team acted swiftly to contain the breach and prevent unauthorized access, and an immediate and thorough investigation was initiated to ascertain the full extent of the incident's impact.
According to a press release, Patrick Allen, secretary for DOH, said, “As part of our response to this incident, we have taken several steps to strengthen our security protocols and enhance our monitoring systems.”
The Department of Health states that, at this time, there is no evidence to suggest that the exposed data has been misused in any way. Nevertheless, the department is taking every precautionary step to minimize the potential risks and protect those affected.
As a proactive measure, all individuals whose information may have been compromised have been informed and were provided with the resources and guidance on how to safeguard their personal information according to a press release.
"We want to reassure the public that protecting your personal data is our top priority," said Allen.
The Department of Health extended its apologies to anyone affected by the breach, recognizing the significance of trust and reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding their data.
With a focus on maintaining the highest standards of data security, the Department of Health stated it is determined to prevent future breaches and continue serving the public with dedication and accountability, and transparency, ensuring open and honest communication throughout this process, acknowledging the concerns raised by the incident according to a press release.