Waterford Hotel Group reports data breach

Waterford Hotel Group, one of Connecticut’s largest hotel owners and operators, recently disclosed a data breach in which an unauthorized party gained access to its computer systems and may have obtained sensitive personal information. The hotel management company, based at 914 Hartford Turnpike in Waterford, and LMD Holding Company LLC announced the incident in a notice posted Tuesday on Waterford’s corporate website, saying the group discovered suspicious activity on certain computer systems on May 5. Waterford took steps to secure its systems and launched an investigation with third-party forensic specialists, the notice states, adding that the investigation determined that an unknown actor gained access to certain systems and was able to view or download data. The company did not disclose when the unauthorized access began or how the systems were compromised, and did not say whose personal data was involved nor how many people may have been affected. Waterford Hotel Group did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In its notice, Waterford said it subsequently conducted a review to determine what information was affected and identify individuals whose information may have been involved. That review was recently completed, and the company is notifying potentially affected individuals. The information involved varies by person and could include names, driver's license numbers, Social Security numbers, passport numbers, taxpayer identification numbers, financial account and payment card information, usernames and passwords, and medical and health insurance information, the company said. Waterford said it has no indication that the incident has resulted in actual or attempted identity theft or fraud, and that it has taken steps to strengthen the security of its systems following the incident. As of Thursday morning, the incident was not listed on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' online breach portal, which tracks breaches of unsecured protected health information affecting 500 or more individuals. Waterford Hotel Group has a portfolio of more than 6,200 hotel rooms across nine states. In August, it sold a 161-room Courtyard by Marriott hotel in Shelton for $19.2 million. Its Connecticut portfolio includes the Sheraton Hartford Hotel at Bradley Airport, Hyatt House Windsor, Marriott Hartford Downtown and DoubleTree by Hilton Hartford Downtown, along with properties in Cromwell and Milford.