Ardent Health, a major hospital operator overseeing 30 hospitals across the United States, including in New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma, has been hit by a significant ransomware attack. The cyber-attack, which occurred over the Thanksgiving holiday, led to the shutdown of numerous computerized services, prompting the diversion of patients to other facilities.
The attack severely impacted Ardent’s computer programs that track patient healthcare records. In response, Ardent has rescheduled some non-emergent, elective procedures and is diverting some emergency room patients to other hospitals. The affected hospital chains include Hillcrest HealthCare in Oklahoma, Lovelace Health in New Mexico, and UT Health in Texas.
Ardent reported the incident to law enforcement and engaged third-party forensic and threat intelligence advisers. However, the extent of compromised patient health or financial data remains uncertain. This incident is part of a growing trend of ransomware attacks targeting healthcare providers, with at least 35 such attacks reported in the US this year, according to cybersecurity analyst Brett Callow from Emsisoft.
Ransomware attacks often occur during holiday periods, exploiting reduced security staffing. The FBI, along with other law enforcement officials, advises against paying ransom demands, as it fuels the prevalence and severity of these attacks.
The targeting of hospitals for ransomware and extortion began around 2016, with at least 300 attacks annually on healthcare facilities since 2020. While no patient deaths directly caused by these attacks have been reported, studies indicate a correlation between ransomware attacks on hospitals and increased mortality rates.
Despite the challenges, Ardent continues to deliver patient care safely and effectively, although some services are being adjusted for safety. The full impact of the attack is still being assessed, and the duration of the disruption remains unclear.
Source: The Guardian
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