Los Angeles-based biotech firm California Cryobank LLC, a leading provider of reproductive tissue banking services, disclosed a cybersecurity incident compromising personally identifiable information (PII) of clients, including 28 Maine residents.
The breach, discovered on October 4, 2024, originated from unauthorized access to encrypted data on April 20, 2024, with affected individuals notified via written communication on March 14, 2025.
Breach Timeline and Scope
The intrusion occurred over six months before detection, raising questions about network monitoring protocols.
While the total number of impacted individuals remains unspecified, the breach exposed identifiers including names, contact details, and sensitive client-associated data.
The company, which specializes in cryopreservation of sperm, eggs, and embryos, confirmed no evidence of misuse but acknowledged potential risks from exposed PII.
Key technical findings:
- Attackers bypassed encryption safeguards through an undetermined attack vector
- No reproductive health records or genetic material storage systems were compromised
- Forensic investigators identified exfiltration of metadata tied to client profiles
Response and Mitigation Measures
Baker & Hostetler LLP partner Sara Goldstein, serving as outside counsel, outlined remediation steps:
text1. Immediate isolation of affected servers
2. Implementation of multifactor authentication (MFA) across all privileged accounts
3. Third-party penetration testing completed Q1 2025
The firm contracted cybersecurity firm CyberScout to provide 12 months of credit monitoring and identity theft protection, including dark web surveillance and insurance reimbursement for identity restoration services.
Regulatory Compliance
As a commercial entity handling biological data, Cryobank falls under California’s CCPA and Maine’s Act To Protect the Privacy of Online Customer Information.
The 28-day gap between breach discovery (October 4) and formal notification (March 14) suggests complex forensic analysis requirements under state breach laws.
Client Communication Protocol
Affected Maine residents received:
- Customized breach disclosure letters outlining exposed data categories
- Step-by-step guidance for enrolling in protection services
- Dedicated case managers via CyberScout’s Resolution Portal
The attached CCB_-_Maine_Attachment.pdf specifies procedures for placing credit freezes and fraud alerts with major bureaus (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion).
Notably, this marks Cryobank’s first breach disclosure within the past 12 months, per regulatory filings.
Industry Implications
Reproductive technology firms face increasing targeting due to:
| Risk Factor | Impact Level |
|---|---|
| High-value biodata | Critical |
| Cross-jurisdictional operations | Moderate-High |
| Emotional sensitivity of client base | Severe |
Cybersecurity analyst Dr. Elena Torres noted: “While Cryobank’s encryption practices mitigated wholesale data theft, the metadata compromise enables sophisticated social engineering campaigns against vulnerable populations.”
The company has established a dedicated hotline (215-564-1572) for breach-related inquiries, with additional resources available through Baker & Hostetler’s privacy task force.
As litigation risks mount, this incident underscores the expanding attack surface in medical biotechnology sectors.
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