Ohio-based cutting tools manufacturer M.K. Morse Company (MKM) announced March 7 it experienced a data security incident earlier this year that “may have impacted personal information and protected health information belonging to certain individuals.”

“On Jan. 20, 2023, MKM was victimized by a sophisticated ransomware attack that impacted its network,” the company said in a news release. “Upon discovery, MKM immediately began working with its IT team and third-party computer specialists to investigate the full nature and scope of the incident. MKM also reported this incident to federal law enforcement.

The company said that while the investigation remains ongoing, it determined on Jan. 24 that certain data related to current and former employees, and their dependents, “kept in the normal course of business,” may have been subject to unauthorized access.

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MKM said the potentially affected data included first name and last name, in combination with one or more of the following: address, date of birth, social security number, driver’s license number, tax ID number, health insurance information and/or medical diagnosis/medical treatment information.

Upon learning of the potential breach, MKM said it thoroughly reviewed the affected information, identified all potentially affected individuals and notified those individuals of the incident.

The company said it isn’t aware of any evidence that any information has been misused and has provided notice to potentially affected individuals out of an abundance of caution. MKM has also notified the three major consumer reporting agencies, the U.S. Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights and any applicable state regulators of this incident.

“In response to this incident, MKM has implemented additional security measures within its network and facilities and is reviewing its current policies and procedures related to data security,” the company said. “Individuals are encouraged to monitor their account statements and explanation of benefits forms for suspicious activity and to detect errors.”

MKM has established a toll-free hotline to answer questions about the incident and address related concerns at (888) 674-7109, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

MKM acquired U.K.-based distributor and welding center PJ Wiseman earlier this year.