HSE investigates theft of 15 laptops

The Health Service Executive (HSE) confirmed this evening it was carrying out its own investigation into the theft of 15 laptops…

The Health Service Executive (HSE) confirmed this evening it was carrying out its own investigation into the theft of 15 laptops from its offices in Co Roscommon.

The HSE said the theft, which occurred over the weekend at a health centre on Lanesboro Road in Roscommon town, had been reported to the gardaí.

It said 13 of the laptops had been encrypted rendering any sensitive information stored on them inaccessible but two of them were only protected by password.

In a statement, the HSE said it was satisfied that there was no identifying information in relation to patients or clients on one of the non-encrypted laptops.

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It said it was awaiting an “incident report” about the stolen laptop that was not encrypted and which may or may not contain sensitive information.

“The Data Protection Commissioners Office has been informed and where any clinically sensitive information is confirmed, we will be acting immediately to take the appropriate steps,” it added.

Gardaí were today interviewing staff with a view to ascertaining the contents of the laptop.

Luke Cassidy

Luke Cassidy

Luke Cassidy is Digital Production Editor of The Irish Times