Fears sensitive health files stolen in cyber incident, minister briefed
Health New Zealand is investigating a cyber incident involving Zenith Technology, a private company that manages clinical trial data. Sensitive health information may have been compromised, and authorities are currently working to secure the affected systems.
Why it matters
Data breaches involving clinical trials and sensitive health records present severe privacy and security risks to patients.
Health New Zealand has briefed Health Minister Simeon Brown on a cyber incident involving Zenith Technology (ZenTech), the minister's office has confirmed.
Police are investigating the incident in which a large number of files relating to clinical trials run by ZenTech - a privately owned company - may have been stolen, Stuff reported.
The files reportedly included sensitive health information.
"Any further questions should be directed to ZenTech and Health New Zealand," a spokesperson for the minister said.
Police confirmed they were aware of an incident and in a statement to RNZ said they are "in the early stages" of their investigation and are working alongside Health NZ.
In a statement to RNZ on Thursday night, ZenTech said certain systems have been taken offline as a precaution while it makes sure its IT environment is secure and the incident has been contained.
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