HHS OCR report · 2014
Brigham and Women's Hospital data breach
OCR report facts
- Covered entity
- Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Entity type
- Healthcare Provider
- State
- Massachusetts
- Individuals affected
- 999
- Submission date
- Nov 17, 2014
- Type of breach
- Theft
- Location of breached information
- Laptop, Other Portable Electronic Device
- Business associate present
- No
- Status
- Archive (closed)
OCR description
An employee of the covered entity (CE), Brigham & Women’s Hospital, had an encrypted laptop and cell phone stolen during an armed robbery and was forced to disclose password and encryption keys during the robbery. The devices contained the protected health information PHI) of 999 individuals. The types of PHI involved in the breach included names, medical records numbers, age, and diagnostic information. In response to OCR’s investigation, the CE initiated a new enterprise wide risk analysis.
Text as published on the HHS OCR breach portal.
Other reports by Brigham and Women's Hospital
| Covered entity | State | Entity type | Individuals | Submitted | Type of breach | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brigham and Women's Hospital | MA | Healthcare Provider | 987 | Aug 4, 2023 | Unauthorized Access/Disclosure | Archive (closed) |
| Brigham and Women's Hospital | MA | Healthcare Provider | 1,009 | Jan 11, 2016 | Hacking/IT Incident | Archive (closed) |
| Brigham and Women's Hospital | MA | Healthcare Provider | 615 | Nov 26, 2012 | Theft | Archive (closed) |
Frequently asked questions
How many people were affected by the Brigham and Women's Hospital data breach?
The report to HHS OCR lists 999 individuals affected.
When was it reported to HHS?
It was submitted to HHS OCR on Nov 17, 2014.
What type of breach was it?
The OCR portal lists the type of breach as Theft, with the breached information located in: Laptop, Other Portable Electronic Device.
Is the investigation still open?
No. The report is in the OCR portal archive, which holds reports where OCR has closed its review.
Is a breach notice letter from Brigham and Women's Hospital legitimate?
This site cannot verify letters. Check the sender against the organisation's official website and the HHS OCR breach portal, and avoid calling numbers or clicking links only listed in an unexpected message. See our guide on what to do after a data breach notice.
Source: HHS OCR Breach Portal, OCR export October 2026. Network USA is not affiliated with HHS or Brigham and Women's Hospital.