Ascension, a major U.S. health care system operating 140 hospitals in 19 states, announced Thursday evening that a cyberattack has disrupted several of its systems. Currently unavailable are the electronic health records, MyChart (which allows patients to view their medical records and communicate with providers), phone systems, and various systems used for ordering tests, procedures, and medications.
Cybersecurity experts have noted a substantial increase in ransomware attacks in recent years, particularly targeting the health care sector. These criminal groups often steal data before deploying malware that cripples networks, then use the threat of releasing the stolen data to extort payments, which can also be sold online.
Andrew Witty, CEO of UnitedHealth, told congressional committees that during its recent cybersecurity incident, Change Healthcare immediately disconnected from other systems to prevent the spread of the attack. He highlighted that UnitedHealth repels an attempted cyber intrusion every 70 seconds, underscoring the ongoing security challenges faced by health care providers.
SOURCE:
U.S. News May 10, 2024
ABC News May 10, 2024