A cyber attack disrupts the services of a children’s hospital

On the first of this month, Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago announced on its website and social media platforms that it had been subjected to a cyber attack, which led to the disconnection of network systems to prevent the spread of the attack .

The hospital, which specializes in pediatric intensive care, was forced to turn off #information technology systems , disrupting normal operations and delaying medical care in some cases . The hospital includes 360 beds, 1,665 doctors covering 70 subspecialties, and 4,000 medical staff and employees . It is one of the most important children’s hospitals in the country, providing care for more than 200,000 children annually .

The hospital revealed: “We take this #cyberattack very seriously, and are investigating with the support of leading experts and working in cooperation with law enforcement agencies. As part of our response to this matter, we have shut down network systems .” 

The healthcare provider also previously stated that “the incident affected the hospital’s #internet, email and phone services and the ability to access the MyChat platform.  Those experiencing a health emergency are advised to call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department.”

The attack led   to a delay in scheduled procedures, the unavailability of ultrasound and CT scan results, and the submission of medical prescriptions in paper form . The hospital has also returned to a first-come, first-served approach, giving priority to emergency cases .

Despite so-called guidelines set by ransomware operators that require affiliates to refrain from targeting hospitals, various ransomware gangs ignore these policies and continue to target healthcare institutions .