Redskins Trainer's Laptop Stolen With Thousands Of NFL Players' Medical Records
ASHBURN, Va. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- The NFL and the Washington Redskins say there's no evidence indicating medical records are at risk after an athletic trainer's laptop was stolen in April.
The Redskins confirmed Wednesday that someone broke through the window of a trainer's locked car April 15 in Indianapolis and took a computer. Deadspin reported that the computer included thousands of medical records from the past 13 years' worth of scouting combines.
The Redskins said in a statement that no social security numbers, protected health information under HIPAA laws or financial information was stolen or is "at risk of exposure." The laptop was password-protected but not encrypted.
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said in an email the league is aware of the situation and there is no evidence that the thief accessed any information on the computer. He said the information on the laptop belonged to the Redskins and the NFL Electronic Medical Records system was not compromised.
"We are aware of no evidence that the thief obtained access to any information on the computer that was stolen nor aware that any information was made public," the NFL told Deadspin.
The Redskins sat they are working with the NFL and NFLPA to locate and notify players who may have been affected and are taking steps to prevent future incidents. That includes encrypting all laptops issued to trainers and other team personnel.
"The team immediately notified local law enforcement of the theft and has cooperated with its investigation. The team is working with the NFL and NFLPA to locate and notify players who may have been impacted. The team is also taking steps to prevent future incidents of this nature, including by encrypting all laptops issued to athletic trainers and other team personnel and through enhanced security training," the Redskins told Deadspin in a statement.
The NFL has directed all clubs to review how they protect data and train those with access to medical records on privacy and security policies.
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