HHS OCR report ยท 2017
UPMC Susquehanna data breach
OCR report facts
- Covered entity
- UPMC Susquehanna
- Entity type
- Healthcare Provider
- State
- Pennsylvania
- Individuals affected
- 1,208
- Submission date
- Nov 15, 2017
- Type of breach
- Hacking/IT Incident
- Location of breached information
- Business associate present
- No
- Status
- Archive (closed)
OCR description
An unauthorized individual potentially gained access to the email accounts of 11 staff members after they responded to a phishing email. The breach involved the protected health information (PHI) of 1,208 individuals, including names, dates of birth, social security numbers, addresses, and clinical information. The covered entity (CE) provided breach notification to HHS, affected individuals, and the media. Following the breach, the CE implemented stricter password policies and two-factor a...
Text as published on the HHS OCR breach portal.
Frequently asked questions
How many people were affected by the UPMC Susquehanna data breach?
The report to HHS OCR lists 1,208 individuals affected.
When was it reported to HHS?
It was submitted to HHS OCR on Nov 15, 2017.
What type of breach was it?
The OCR portal lists the type of breach as Hacking/IT Incident, with the breached information located in: Email.
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 UPMC Susquehanna 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 UPMC Susquehanna.