House GOP chairman: Cyberattacks now threaten ‘every business’

A leading House Republican is responding angrily to news that hackers breached the health insurance giant Anthem and gained access to the personal information of as many as 80 million people. 

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-Mich.) said cyberattacks now threaten “every business” and that it is “not a matter of if they will be infiltrated, but when.” 

{mosads}”This latest intrusion into patients’ personal information underscores the increasing magnitude and evolving nature of cyber crimes,” Upton said in a statement Thursday. 

“That’s why we’re pursuing legislation to strengthen data security and certainty in the handling of breaches. And that’s why we’re saying enough is enough, we need to tackle head-on these cyber threats, whether from petty criminals or sophisticated foreign agents.”

The Energy and Commerce panel will receive a briefing from Anthem on Friday and continue to hold hearings on cyber crimes, according to a memo from committee staff. 

Details about potential hearings and legislation were not provided. 

The Anthem attack may be one of the largest healthcare data breaches in history, according to experts. Stolen data include names, dates of birth and Social Security numbers.