Anthem Health Insurance Data Breach 2015

The Hack

When and Where Did the Attack Occur?

In 2015, Anthem, one of the largest health insurance companies in the U.S., suffered a massive data breach. Attackers gained unauthorized access to Anthem’s systems, exposing the personal information of approximately 78.8 million current and former customers. This breach was one of the largest in healthcare industry history, highlighting the growing risks associated with cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Source

What Was Stolen?

The compromised information included:

• Names
• Birth dates
• Social Security numbers
• Medical IDs
• Street addresses
• Email addresses
• Employment details
• Income data

However, credit card information, banking details, and medical records were not believed to be affected. While financial data remained secure, the type of information stolen was still highly sensitive, making victims vulnerable to identity theft and fraud.

The breach took place between April 2014 and January 2015, with attackers first gaining access in April 2014. It remained undetected until January 27, 2015, when suspicious activity was noticed within Anthem's systems. During this period, the attackers had free rein over sensitive databases. The attack targeted Anthem’s corporate network, which supports multiple brands, including:

• Anthem Blue Cross
• Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia
• Empire Blue Cross and Blue Shield
• Amerigroup
• Caremore
• UniCare

Given Anthem’s broad customer base, the impact of the breach was widespread, affecting individuals across multiple states.

Who Were the Hackers?

The 2015 Anthem data breach was attributed to a sophisticated Chinese cybercriminal group. While the exact individuals behind the attack were never publicly identified, cybersecurity experts linked the breach to a group with ties to state-sponsored espionage operations. The attackers used advanced techniques to infiltrate Anthem’s systems, operating stealthily for months without detection. The stolen information—names, Social Security numbers, birth dates, addresses, and employment details—could be exploited for identity theft or sold on the black market. Additionally, intelligence agencies suggested that the breach might have been part of a larger effort to gather data on U.S. citizens.

Why Did They Do It?

The attack was likely motivated by espionage, as the stolen data could be used for intelligence purposes. Unlike breaches aimed at financial theft, this attack appeared more strategic. The hackers were not after immediate monetary gain but rather long-term access to a vast database of personal information. Given the methodical nature of the breach, experts speculate that it was an organized effort to collect information on U.S. citizens for future exploitation. This data could be used for a range of activities, including:

• Intelligence gathering
• Fraud
• Leverage in geopolitical conflicts

How Was the Attack Carried Out?

The breach began with a sophisticated spear-phishing campaign targeting Anthem employees. Attackers crafted deceptive emails that appeared legitimate, tricking employees into clicking malicious links or downloading infected files. Once an employee unknowingly activated the malware, the attackers gained remote access to Anthem’s systems. From there, they moved laterally within the network, escalating privileges and accessing confidential databases. Over several months, they systematically extracted massive amounts of data without detection. This breach highlighted the vulnerabilities of large organizations to social engineering attacks and the importance of robust cybersecurity protocols.