U.S. Hospital Falls Victim to Hackers

Hospital Falls Victim to Hackers

  • By Sydny Shepard
  • Mar 24, 2016

Hackers continue to take advantage of the weak security systems hospitals have in place. This time, it was Methodist Hospital in Kentucky.

Methodist Hospital was operating “in an internal state of emergency” on March 18, according to its website, after a section of its computer network had been rendered useless.

The hospital had gotten hit with some ransomware, a particularly nasty type of computer virus that encrypts computer files. Hackers don’t give you the key to unlock the documents until they are paid a ransom, ergo ransomware.

An email laced with the inconvenient virus managed to make it past the hospital’s spam filter, according to a prepared statement by the hospital. Methodist said, “no patient data or records were compromised.” However, it did not clarify what documents were affected.

The hospital also did not release how much money was requested, but cybersecurity reported Brian Krebs revealed that hackers demanded four bitcoins, only $1,656 at today’s exchange rate.

That is usually how these types of things play out. The hackers don’t usually focus on extorting a particularly wealthy person or company; they attack the masses, hoping to rake in a little money from a lot of people. By keeping the ransom low, the hackers are increasing the likelihood that someone would pay it to get their files back.

In the case of Methodist Hospital, however, the hackers might have to admit defeat. The hospital is refusing to pay up. They have since shut down the infected part of the system and have been working off backup copies of the documents. It is unclear if the documents that were infected and not backed up are now permanently deleted.

The hospital is working with the FBI and the local Henderson Police Department to find the hackers that have plagued their system.

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

Featured

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

  • Survey: 48 Percent of Worshippers Feel Less Safe Attending In-Person Services

    Almost half (48%) of those who attend religious services say they feel less safe attending in-person due to rising acts of violence at places of worship. In fact, 39% report these safety concerns have led them to change how often they attend in-person services, according to new research from Verkada conducted online by The Harris Poll among 1,123 U.S. adults who attend a religious service or event at least once a month. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

  • Unified VMS

    AxxonSoft introduces version 2.0 of the Axxon One VMS. The new release features integrations with various physical security systems, making Axxon One a unified VMS. Other enhancements include new AI video analytics and intelligent search functions, hardened cybersecurity, usability and performance improvements, and expanded cloud capabilities