A recent cyberattack has disrupted the clinical operations of Ascension Health Care Network. The nonprofit and Catholic health system, which operates 14 hospitals in the Chicago area, has interrupted access to some systems while remediation efforts are underway. The care teams have implemented procedures to ensure that patient care delivery remains safe and minimally impacted.
Ascension has hired cybersecurity firm Mandiant Solutions to investigate the cyberattack and has notified the authorities. They are working together with Mandiant Solutions to fully investigate what information may have been affected in the situation. If any sensitive information was compromised, Ascension will notify and support those individuals according to regulatory and legal guidelines.
In January, Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago also experienced a high-profile cyberattack which led to disruptions in regular operations. Ascension is one of several healthcare providers that have been targeted by cybercriminals in recent years, highlighting the need for increased security measures to protect sensitive patient data.
