Ransomware attack causes IT disruption in large US hospital network
A ransomware attack has led to a "system-wide technology outage" in a network of several medical centers in Ohio.
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A cyber attack hit the Kettering Health network in Ohio on Tuesday morning, causing significant disruption to operations. This was reported by the news channel CNN. As Kettering Health announced in a statement, non-urgent procedures have been canceled for the day as a result of the attack and will need to be rescheduled. However, emergency cases can still be treated.
Significant restrictions on patient care
According to a statement from Kettering Health, there are significant restrictions on patient care, the call center and access to electronic patient records. The hospital management and several teams are working hard to contain the effects of the attack and restore the systems.
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According to CNN, the ransomware group "Interlock", which has been targeting various industries since fall 2024, is behind the attack. In a ransom note seen by CNN, the perpetrators threaten to release sensitive data from Kettering Health if the network does not negotiate with them.
As a result of the disruption, emergency services are currently being redirected to other hospitals. Communication between different hospital networks has also been affected. In addition, Kettering Health is warning of an increase in scam calls where unknown individuals are posing as staff and requesting credit card details – all official calls have been suspended until further notice.
The incident is one in a series of cyberattacks on the US healthcare system, such as the attack on the payment service provider Change Healthcare, which affected 190 million US citizens. Cyber attacks on healthcare facilities are also on the rise in Europe. In Germany, for example, the Agatharied hospital was affected, whereupon, according to the daily newspaper Merkur, "old cash register dictation devices" had to be used.
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