HHS OCR report ยท 2021
Harris County data breach
OCR report facts
- Covered entity
- Harris County
- Entity type
- Healthcare Provider
- State
- Texas
- Individuals affected
- 26,000
- Submission date
- Jul 27, 2021
- Type of breach
- Unauthorized Access/Disclosure
- Location of breached information
- Network Server
- Business associate present
- No
- Status
- Archive (closed)
OCR description
Harris County reported that an employee made the electronic protected health information (ePHI) of 26,000 individuals viewable via the Internet. Upon review of the breach information, OCR determined that Harris County does not meet the definition of a covered entity or a business associate. The case was closed.
Text as published on the HHS OCR breach portal.
Other reports by Harris County
| Covered entity | State | Entity type | Individuals | Submitted | Type of breach | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harris County | TX | Health Plan | 21,000 | Jul 16, 2013 | Unauthorized Access/Disclosure | Archive (closed) |
Frequently asked questions
How many people were affected by the Harris County data breach?
The report to HHS OCR lists 26,000 individuals affected.
When was it reported to HHS?
It was submitted to HHS OCR on Jul 27, 2021.
What type of breach was it?
The OCR portal lists the type of breach as Unauthorized Access/Disclosure, with the breached information located in: Network Server.
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 Harris County 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 Harris County.