Ascension Health Care Network recently experienced a cyberattack that disrupted their clinical operations. In response, the organization immediately initiated remediation efforts to restore access to some systems. Despite the disruption, Ascension assured the public that patient care delivery remains a top priority for their care teams. While they continue to assess the impact of the disruption, Ascension has engaged Mandiant Solutions, a cybersecurity firm, to investigate the incident and has notified the appropriate authorities.
As a precautionary measure, Ascension has informed its business partners to temporarily suspend their connection to the Ascension system. The organization emphasized that they are committed to fully investigating the incident and will notify and support individuals if any sensitive information was affected. Furthermore, Ascension provided details about its hospital operations in the Chicago area, highlighting the various Ascension hospitals currently serving the community.
Cyberattacks in healthcare are becoming increasingly common, as seen in January when Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago faced a cyberattack that resulted in disruptions to their phone, email, and other systems. These incidents underscore the growing threat of cyberattacks in the healthcare sector and showcase the importance of organizations like Ascension taking proactive measures to safeguard patient data and maintain continuity of care for their communities.