Lurie Children’s Hospital forced to shut down IT systems after a cyberattack.
After a cyberattack, Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago had to shut down its IT systems, disrupting regular operations and causing delays in certain medical services. Lurie Children’s, a crucial pediatric healthcare facility in the country, with 360 beds, 1,665 physicians, and a staff of 4,000, announced on its website and social media platforms yesterday that it is actively addressing a cybersecurity incident, leading to the offline status of network systems as a preventive measure.
“We are taking this cybersecurity matter seriously, conducting an investigation with leading experts, and collaborating with law enforcement agencies. As part of our response, we have taken our network systems offline,” revealed Lurie Children’s Hospital in the announcement.
The healthcare provider noted that the incident affected internet, email, phone services, and access to the MyChat platform. Those in need of immediate medical assistance were instructed to dial 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. Emphasizing their commitment to patient care, the hospital assured that it remains open, striving to minimize disruptions.
— Lurie Children's (@LurieChildrens) February 1, 2024
Local media reported delays in scheduled procedures, unavailability of ultrasound and CT scan results, and the issuance of prescriptions in paper format. The hospital also shifted to a first-come, first-served approach, prioritizing emergency situations.
Despite no ransomware groups claiming responsibility at the time of writing, the incident at Lurie Children’s aligns with a concerning trend where certain ransomware gangs, such as Lockbit, breach healthcare organizations despite supposed policies prohibiting such actions. Recent attacks on Capital Health, Saint Anthony Hospital in the U.S., and Katholische Hospitalvereinigung Ostwestfalen (KHO) hospitals in Germany exemplify this trend, challenging the effectiveness of stated guidelines against targeting healthcare facilities.
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