Quest Diagnostics is the latest life sciences company to fall victim to a cyberattack, with the company believing patient records have been compromised.
The lab testing giant said in an SEC filing published Thursday that it became aware of “unauthorized access” to its Quanum LSM system on Oct. 21.
According to the filing, “certain clients” use the system to place test orders, receive and look up results. Quest believes an “unauthorized party” managed to gain access to “certain patient records.”
The incident is still being investigated by the company, with assistance from external cybersecurity experts. Quest has also notified federal law enforcement authorities. The company said the attack “has not materially disrupted the Company’s business operations or its ability to serve patients.” It did not say how many records may have been exposed.
This year is turning into an annus horribilis for the medtech industry when it comes to cyberattacks.
Quest now joins Novocure, Boston Scientific, Medtronic, Stryker, Abbott and iRhythm among the growing number of medtech companies hit by cyber incidents this year.
The disclosure comes on the same day Quest announced its third-quarter financial results, with revenue reaching $3.1 billion, up a strong 10% year over year.
Jim Davis, chairman, CEO and president of Quest, was bullish on the results, saying in the earnings release that the company was “raising our revenue and EPS guidance for the full year.”