Northern Montana Health Care (NMHC)

Northern Montana Health Care (NMHC) experienced a data security incident through its third-party business partner, Wakefield & Associates, LLC, which provides account services. The breach involved unauthorized access to certain files within Wakefield’s systems, potentially exposing personal information of affected individuals. Wakefield is directly notifying impacted parties via mail, offering complimentary credit monitoring services as a remedial measure. NMHC clarified that only those receiving letters from Wakefield are affected, while others remain unaffected. The incident underscores a supply-chain vulnerability, where a trusted vendor’s security lapse led to exposure of sensitive data. NMHC emphasized its commitment to data protection and is collaborating with Wakefield to mitigate risks and prevent future occurrences. The breach did not originate from NMHC’s internal systems but highlights risks associated with third-party dependencies in handling protected health or personal data.

Source: https://hilinetoday.com/nmhc-notified-of-data-breach/

TPRM report: https://www.rankiteo.com/company/northern-montana-care-center

"id": "nor0532305103025",
"linkid": "northern-montana-care-center",
"type": "Breach",
"date": "10/2025",
"severity": "60",
"impact": "4",
"explanation": "Attack with significant impact with customers data leaks"

{'affected_entities': [{'industry': 'Healthcare',
                        'location': 'Montana, USA',
                        'name': 'Northern Montana Health Care (NMHC)',
                        'type': 'Healthcare Provider'},
                       {'industry': 'Financial/Accounting Services',
                        'name': 'Wakefield & Associates, LLC',
                        'type': 'Business Partner (Account Services '
                                'Provider)'}],
 'customer_advisories': 'Affected individuals are being notified by Wakefield '
                        'via letter, with details about the incident and '
                        'credit monitoring services.',
 'data_breach': {'personally_identifiable_information': True,
                 'sensitivity_of_data': 'High (personal information requiring '
                                        'credit monitoring)',
                 'type_of_data_compromised': 'Personal information (details '
                                             'unspecified; disclosed via '
                                             'letters to affected '
                                             'individuals)'},
 'description': 'Northern Montana Health Care (NMHC) was notified of a data '
                'security incident involving their business partner, Wakefield '
                '& Associates, LLC, which provides account services to NMHC. '
                'Wakefield experienced a data breach affecting certain files '
                'within their systems. Wakefield is sending letters directly '
                'to affected individuals, offering complimentary credit '
                'monitoring services. NMHC is not sending individual notices; '
                'all communications are being handled by Wakefield. The '
                "incident underscores NMHC's commitment to privacy and data "
                'security, with collaborative efforts underway to safeguard '
                'information.',
 'impact': {'brand_reputation_impact': 'Potential reputational risk due to '
                                       'third-party breach',
            'data_compromised': True,
            'identity_theft_risk': 'Possible (credit monitoring offered to '
                                   'affected individuals)'},
 'investigation_status': 'Ongoing (Wakefield is leading the response and '
                         'communication)',
 'post_incident_analysis': {'corrective_actions': 'Collaborating with '
                                                  'Wakefield to safeguard '
                                                  'information moving forward'},
 'references': [{'source': 'Northern Montana Health Care Press Release'}],
 'response': {'communication_strategy': 'Wakefield is handling all '
                                        'communications, including direct '
                                        'letters to affected individuals and '
                                        'complimentary credit monitoring '
                                        'services. NMHC issued a press release '
                                        'emphasizing their commitment to data '
                                        'security.',
              'incident_response_plan_activated': True,
              'remediation_measures': 'Collaborating with Wakefield to '
                                      'safeguard information',
              'third_party_assistance': True},
 'stakeholder_advisories': 'NMHC press release; Wakefield sending direct '
                           'letters to affected individuals',
 'title': 'Data Security Incident at Wakefield & Associates Affecting Northern '
          'Montana Health Care (NMHC)',
 'type': 'Data Breach (Third-Party Vendor)'}