Guardant Health Data Breach Exposed Medical Info

What Happened?

Guardant Health, Inc., a biotechnology company specializing in cancer screening tests, recently identified a significant data breach involving personal information. The breach initially occurred when a file containing sensitive data was inadvertently made publicly accessible on an online platform due to an employee's error in October 2020. This file remained unnoticed until March 4, 2024, when it was discovered that from September 8, 2023, to February 28, 2024, unidentified third parties copied the information.

Information Exposed

The types of consumer information exposed in this breach include:

• Names
• Ages
• Medical record and identification numbers
• Medical information such as treatment details and dates
• Test results

It is important to note that no financial information or Social Security numbers were involved in this breach.

Guardant Health, Inc.'s Response

Upon discovering the breach, Guardant Health acted swiftly to remove the exposed file from the public platform and commenced a thorough investigation. The company has since enhanced its technical controls and continues to educate its workforce on the proper handling of sensitive information to prevent future incidents.

Steps to Take if You Are Affected

If you believe your information may have been compromised in this data breach, it is crucial to take the following steps:

1. Monitor your medical statements and records for any unauthorized or unusual activity.
2. Consider placing a fraud alert on your medical profiles to warn providers of potential unauthorized access.
3. Contact Guardant Health directly at 888-326-0350 for further assistance and to discuss any concerns regarding the breach.

For more information about the breach and Guardant Health's response, you can view the official disclosure on the California Attorney General's website.