The College of Mississippi Medical Heart (UMMC) closed all its clinic places statewide on Thursday following a ransomware assault.
UMMC has over 10,000 staff and, as one of many largest employers in Mississippi, operates seven hospitals, 35 clinics, and greater than 200 telehealth websites statewide. The medical heart contains the state’s solely kids’s hospital, solely Stage I trauma heart, solely organ and bone marrow transplant program, and the one Telehealth Heart of Excellence, considered one of two throughout the US.
As revealed on Thursday afternoon, the cyberattack took down a lot of its IT techniques and blocked entry to the Epic digital medical data. Whereas UMMC cancelled outpatient and ambulatory surgical procedures/procedures and imaging appointments, officers stated hospital providers proceed through downtime procedures.
UMMC is now investigating the incident with help from the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Safety Company (CISA) and the FBI.
“We’ve activated our Emergency Operations Plan and are working with authorities together with the FBI and Homeland Safety, who’re serving to us to guage this example and decide subsequent steps,” the UMMC stated.
When this text was revealed, the UMCC’s web site was nonetheless down, and officers stated that the hospital had shut down all IT techniques whereas they assessed the assault’s affect.
“We’re nonetheless evaluating the extent of techniques impacted. As a precaution, now we have shut down all our community techniques and can conduct threat assessments earlier than bringing something again on-line. In-person class schedules stay regular,” they stated.
Officers affirm ransomware assaultÂ
Hospital officers have additionally revealed throughout a press convention on Thursday afternoon that they’re speaking with the ransomware operation behind the assault and dealing with authorities on the following steps, in line with The Each day Mississippian.
“The attackers have communicated to us and we’re working with the authorities and specialists on subsequent steps. We have no idea how lengthy this example might final,” stated LouAnn Woodward, the dean of the varsity of drugs at UMMC.
“Sufferers in our hospital and our emergency division are being cared for. Medical gear and operations stay purposeful. We’re utilizing our downtime procedures. For our college students, in-person courses will proceed as scheduled.”
“All of our gear works. All of our sufferers are being taken care of safely. There will likely be no affected person affect because of this downtime,” Dr. Alan Jones, affiliate vice chancellor for well being affairs at UMMC, advised reporters.
No ransomware group has claimed duty for this assault, as they’re possible nonetheless negotiating with the UMMC and need to strain it into paying an extortion demand.
Nonetheless, with ransomware concerned, information might have additionally been stolen and will likely be used as further leverage to persuade the hospital to pay.
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