Healthcare Giant Ascension Suffers Cyberattack and Takes Steps to Minimize Impact on Patient Care

In a recent cyberattack, Ascension, a major health care nonprofit, has experienced disrupted clinical operations. This incident has prompted the organization to take steps to minimize any impact on patient care. With 140 hospitals and 40 senior living facilities in 19 states, Ascension serves millions of patients across the country.

As a result of the attack, patients have been recommended to temporarily cut off network connections while the situation is being resolved. The nonprofit has initiated procedures to ensure that patient care delivery continues as safely and minimally impacted as possible. If any sensitive patient data was compromised during the attack, Ascension will notify those affected immediately.

The incident began with unusual activity on Ascension’s computer systems, which prompted an investigation and notification to the appropriate authorities. It remains unclear whether this was a ransomware attack or another type of cyberattack. However, health care providers in the US have faced numerous ransomware attacks in recent years, some of which have disrupted patient care and cost providers significant amounts of money.

In February 2021, a ransomware attack on a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group caused billing disruptions at pharmacies across the US and posed a threat to the financial stability of some health providers. As this incident highlights, cybersecurity threats are becoming increasingly common in the healthcare industry, making it essential for organizations to prioritize cybersecurity measures and be prepared for potential attacks.

Ascension is working closely with law enforcement and IT experts to resolve the issue and prevent future attacks from occurring. In addition to notifying affected patients immediately if any sensitive information was compromised during the attack, Ascension is also taking steps to improve its cybersecurity measures moving forward.

Overall, this incident underscores the need for healthcare organizations to prioritize cybersecurity measures and be prepared for potential attacks. By doing so, they can better protect their patients’ sensitive information and ensure that their clinical operations continue uninterrupted even in the face of cyber threats.