RI cyberattack could expose data of 650,000 people - more than half state's population
PROVIDENCE – The cyberattack that has crippled Rhode Island's public benefits computer system could expose the personal data of an estimated 650,000 people, more than half the state's population, Gov. Dan McKee said Monday.
The hackers behind the attack on the state network known as RIBridges and UHIP, remain unidentified, and their ransom demands have not been made public.
When the system was shut down Dec. 13, McKee said the state expected that personal data of those who had used the system would be released last week. As of Monday afternoon, the state had received "no indications" that any private data had been distributed.
But Chief Information Officer Brian Tardiff said Monday that there was "no indications or reports" from Deloitte, the private information technology vendor running the system, "that the information has been released on the dark web."
"I think it's important to remember that the data has been taken already, and just because they have not released it doesn't mean that this information is not already on the dark web," he said.
State policy reflected in Deloitte's contract requires that vendors encrypt private data they manage, and the state is working to confirm that personal information on RIBridges was encrypted, said Laura Hart, a spokesperson for McKee.
The 650,000-person estimate includes anyone who applied for benefits through the state system since it launched in 2016, even if they did not actually receive benefits.
Deloitte and state officials are working to secure the system so that it can be relaunched. Tardiff said they expect that will happen sometime in January.
The RIBridges/UHIP system was built to centralize and automate the process of applying for state benefits and determining who does not qualify for them.
More: RI benefits cyberattack is still playing out. Here's what the state has done, and what you can do.
With the system down, the state has paused terminations for Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) and other public programs.
Residents can still apply for benefits by paper.
Benefits scheduled to be distributed Jan. 1 will be paid on time, Department of Human Services Director Kimberly Merolla-Brito said.
The RIBridges breach also shut down Rhode Island's public health insurance exchange during the open enrollment period.
In response, HealthSource RI is extending the open enrollment period through Feb. 28, Director Lindsay Lang said.
Anyone who needs to sign up for coverage starting on Jan. 1 is encouraged to call the HealthSource call center at 855-840-4774. There's also a new webpage with more information: healthsourceri.com/covered2025.
"We'll help you enroll directly through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island or Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island Island with a Jan. 1 coverage date," Lang said. "You will not be responsible for premiums while temporarily involved in this program, and our carriers are working to limit out-of-pocket costs that customers will face in the months of January and February, like copays and deductibles."
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI cyberattack could expose data of 650,000 people. What to know.
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