Healthcare Giant Ascension Disrupted by Cyberattack: Prioritizing Patient Care Despite Technical Difficulties
Ascension Health Care Network has announced that they experienced a cyberattack which disrupted their clinical operations. In response, the organization immediately launched remediation efforts to restore access to affected systems. Despite the disruption, Ascension reassured the public that patient care delivery remains a top priority for their care teams.
The incident prompted Ascension to engage Mandiant Solutions, a cybersecurity firm, to investigate the attack and notify the appropriate authorities. The organization also urged its business partners to temporarily suspend their connection to the Ascension system as a precautionary measure.
Ascension emphasized its commitment to fully investigating the incident and notifying individuals if any sensitive information was affected. The healthcare provider also provided details about its hospital operations in the Chicago area, highlighting the various Ascension hospitals currently serving the community.
These incidents serve as a reminder of the growing threat of cyberattacks in the healthcare sector. It is essential for organizations like Ascension to take proactive measures to safeguard patient data and maintain continuity of care for their communities.
Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago faced a similar incident earlier this year when they experienced a cyberattack that resulted in disruptions to their phone, email, and other systems. This underscores how vulnerable healthcare organizations are to cyber threats and highlights the need for ongoing vigilance and investment in cybersecurity measures.
In conclusion, while cyberattacks can disrupt clinical operations and cause significant disruption, healthcare organizations must prioritize patient care delivery above all else. Organizations like Ascension should continue to invest in cybersecurity measures and work with experts like Mandiant Solutions to ensure that they are protected against potential threats.
