Cyberattackhashalted many services at 2 CT hospital systems for days, officials say
Aug. 7—The FBI said last week it was investigating the ransomware attack, a type of cyberattack in which adversaries breach or upload malware into a computer system. The perpetrators then typically lock down vital parts of the system or may threaten to release sensitive data if a ransom is not paid.
The exact details of the Prospect ransomware attack have not been disclosed, including which systems were targeted or how long the disruption in services is expected.
"Prospect Medical Holdings Inc. is in the process of responding to and addressing a data security incident that has disrupted our operations," the company said in a statement. "Upon identifying the incident, we immediately initiated an investigation and took our systems offline to protect them. We also launched an investigation with the help of third-party cybersecurity specialists and are working closely with law enforcement. While our investigation continues, we are focused on addressing the pressing needs of our patients as we work diligently to return to normal operations as quickly as possible."
The attack also forced the emergency departments at Manchester and Rockville hospitals to initially divert ambulances until Friday morning.
As of Monday, Waterbury Health said its computer systems "are down due to a cyber security attack with the outage affecting all Waterbury Health inpatient and outpatient operations."
The organization said the attack has closed its Waterbury Hospital blood draw location; Women's Imaging and Open MRI in Southbury; and the Cardiopulmonary Rehab Center. The computer issues have also closed Diagnostic Radiology Associates, which has offices in Waterbury, Southbury and Middlebury.
"We continue to evaluate our downtime capabilities and may reschedule some appointments," Waterbury Health said in Facebook post. "Waterbury Hospital is following downtime procedures, including the use of paper records, until this is resolved."
The organization said patient visitation is not affected by the closures.
"We are working closely with IT experts to resolve it as quickly as possible," the post said.
ECHN's website said the cyberattack has halted elective surgeries, gastrointestinal procedures, outpatient medical imaging and physical therapy and outpatient blood drawing. Evergreen and Tolland Imaging are closed along with ECHN's Women's Center, according to the website.
The hospital system said the services and locations would be closed "until further notice."
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Ransomware attack fallout continues at several CT hospitals
News of the attack on Prospect broke last Thursday. The company also run hospitals and other medical offices in California, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island.
"PMH's information technology teams are working around-the-clock to securely restore access to our systems as quickly and as safely as possible, and in a manner that prioritizes our ability to provide patient care," the company's statement said. "While this incident has resulted in operational disruptions at our hospitals and affiliated providers, our clinical staff are trained to provide care in these types of situations. PMH physicians, nurses, and staff are implementing workarounds to help mitigate any disruption and provide uninterrupted care to our patients."
Operations in at least two other states also appeared to be affected by the attack. CharterCARE Health Partners in Rhode Island reported its computer systems were down and affecting inpatient and outpatient services at two hospitals. In Pennsylvania, Crozer Health's computer systems were downed in the attack, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
