By Craig Anderson

This story has been updated

DOVER — On June 16, PBI Research Services, a third-party vendor for Genworth Financial, disclosed a data breach that impacted the personal information of an estimated 2.5-2.7 million individuals, including about 8,000 Delaware residents, a Delaware Department of Insurance news release said today.

At this time, the company has indicated that the potentially compromised information may include agents, policyholders, and beneficiaries’ data including names, contact information, dates of birth, social security numbers, and policy numbers, the Department of Insurance said.

Consumers are urged to be vigilant in protecting their data, as beneficiaries may not be aware of policies that contain their information, particularly in regard to life insurance benefits, according to the DOI.

This event triggers Delaware’s Insurance Data Security Act, which in addition to proactive data security measures and other requirements, mandates the following now occur:

• Investigation of a cybersecurity event and correction of compromised information systems

• Detailed reporting to the Insurance Commissioner

• Notification to consumers within 60 days, except in cases where federal law or law enforcement agencies require or request modified timelines

• Consumers must be provided credit monitoring services at no cost for a period of at least one year in addition to receiving information regarding freezing one’s credit

Insurance Commissioner Trinidad Navarro encouraged consumers to protect their identities and reassured residents that the breach will be investigated thoroughly.

“I take any breach of personal information very seriously, and encourage consumers affected to utilize the identity and credit protection services offered,” he said.

“Our Market Conduct staff, likely alongside investigators across the country, will work to investigate the situation and assess if appropriate safeguards were in place for the handling of data.”

The department has received a relevant policyholder list, including consumers of long-term care, life insurance, and annuities lines, which investigators may use to check company compliance with the Act.

Consumer service representatives may also use this information to help concerned agents, policyholders, and beneficiaries who contact the office, the news release said.

This incident was a part of a significant cybersecurity attack involving the MOVEit file transfer system, with the breach likely occurring May 29-30 before a corrective action was implemented on June 2, the DOI said.

A representative  for MOVEit said a corrective action was implemented May 31

The department has not at this time been notified of additional insurer or insured information being accessed as part of this breach, the news release said.
Consumers can visit Genworth.com/MOVEit for updates and the Department of Insurance said they should consider freezing their credit report due to the incident.