Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Mohana Ravindranath
Published on 2024-02-02 17:24:38
Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago has experienced a cybersecurity issue that has forced the hospital to take its network offline. This incident has caused disruptions in the hospital’s operations, leaving scheduled surgeries in limbo and making it difficult for patients’ families to communicate with doctors. The hospital has been actively responding to the issue and is working with experts and law enforcement to address the situation. Despite the disruptions, Lurie Children’s Hospital remains open for patients.
The hospital uses Epic System’s electronic health record software and has taken proactive measures by disabling its phone, email, and electronic medical system. This action has been taken in response to what may be a cyber attack, although the hospital has not officially confirmed this. The disruptions began on Wednesday, and the hospital has faced challenges in delivering patient care and maintaining regular operations in the wake of the incident.
This occurrence is part of a larger trend of cybersecurity threats targeting the healthcare sector. The Department of Health and Human Services recently published voluntary cybersecurity goals for the health sector, addressing the increased risks faced by hospitals and healthcare organizations. A report from 2023 warned about the significant rise in cyber attacks that target hospitals, disrupt operations, and demand financial extortion. Ransomware attacks have become a growing threat, directly affecting clinical operations and disrupting healthcare facilities.
The healthcare sector has experienced a surge in data breaches, with a record number of patients being impacted by cyber threats. Last year, data breaches in the health sector reached an all-time high, impacting as many as 116 million patients. This has been attributed to an increase in hacking and IT incidents, reflecting the vulnerability of healthcare organizations to cyber attacks. Several health organizations have already reported breaches related to hacking or IT incidents to the federal government this year, underscoring the urgency of addressing cybersecurity risks in the healthcare sector.
In December, Saint Anthony Hospital in Chicago experienced an incident in which an “unknown actor” copied patient data from the hospital’s network. The hospital is still investigating the extent of the breach and the impact on patient information. This underscores the widespread vulnerability of healthcare organizations to cyber threats. It is not just hospitals that are at risk; the FBI has warned about state-sponsored hackers targeting U.S. infrastructure, including the power grid. While there is no indication that the incident at Lurie Children’s Hospital is related to this national security threat, it demonstrates the broad scope and severity of cybersecurity risks in the healthcare sector.
In conclusion, the incident at Lurie Children’s Hospital reflects the growing cybersecurity threats facing healthcare organizations. With the increasing vulnerability of hospitals and healthcare systems to cyber attacks, it is essential to address these risks and implement robust cybersecurity measures to protect patient data and ensure the continuity of healthcare services. The healthcare sector must prioritize cybersecurity and collaborate with experts and law enforcement to mitigate the risks and strengthen defenses against cyber threats.
