Hamstrung by Ransomware, 10 Hospitals are Turning Away Some Patients

[upnorth]

Content source

https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2019/10/hamstrung-by-ransomware-10-hospitals-are-turning-away-some-patients/

Ten hospitals—three in Alabama and seven in Australia—have been hit with paralyzing ransomware attacks that are affecting their ability to take new patients, it was widely reported on Tuesday.

All three hospitals that make up the DCH Health System in Alabama were closed to new patients on Tuesday as officials there coped with an attack that paralyzed the health network's computer system. The hospitals—DCH Regional Medical Center in Tuscaloosa, Northport Medical Center, and Fayette Medical Center—are turning away "all but the most critical new patients" at the time this post was going live. Local ambulances were being instructed to take patients to other hospitals when possible. Patients coming to DCH emergency rooms faced the possibility of being transferred to another hospital once they were stabilized. "A criminal is limiting our ability to use our computer systems in exchange for an as-yet unknown payment," DCH representatives wrote in a release. "Our hospitals have implemented our emergency procedures to ensure safe and efficient operations in the event technology dependent on computers is not available."

The hospitals in Gippsland and southwest Victoria said they were rescheduling some patient services as they responded to a "cyber health incident." "The cyber incident, which was uncovered on Monday, has blocked access to several systems by the infiltration of ransomware, including financial management," hospital officials said. "Hospitals have isolated and disconnected a number of systems... to quarantine the infection." Hospital officials said they're working with police and the Australian Cyber Security Center to manage the incident.

 

[Dave Russo]

This is really low,stealing {or trying to} while jeopardizing possibly someones life,Anyone know of the potential penalty,fine imprisonment or any cases where they catch and have sentenced anyone? Thanks upnorth for another interesting article.

 

[Deletedmessiah]

Its the worst when people's health and lives are the one being compromised by these scumbag hackers.

 

[Burrito]

It's getting to be astounding that entities like that don't have backup.

Yeah, even with really good defenses, malware is going to get through sometimes.

But all organizations should know by now >> Back That 'Stuff' Up.

 

[oldschool]

If you think the article paints a bad picture, read some of the comments/discussion. Wow, but I'm not surprised.

 

[93803123]

"Sad state of affairs"

Microsoft Windows is a major contributor to that fact.

If you think the article paints a bad picture, read some of the comments/discussion. Wow, but I'm not surprised.

It's not just hospitals. Hospitals get all the newsroom glam because they are targeted and the news wires just love these sensationalist stories.

However, it is true that hospitals can no longer function when their computer systems go down. There are no pencil-and-paper contingency plans. In fact, most medical professionals nowadays under the age of 50 can't do their jobs without a computer. This is a well established medical system vulnerability that was brought to light by ransomware.

 

[Viking]

They are the lowest of the low.

 

[upnorth]

Three Alabama hospitals have paid a ransomware demand to the criminals who waged a crippling malware attack that's forcing the hospitals to turn away all but the most critical patients, the Tuscaloosa News reported.

Hospitals that are turning away patients reportedly pay ransomware attackers

Officials have obtained the decryption key and are working to rebuild their networks.

arstechnica.com

 

[plat]

You feel like grabbing the hospital adminstrators by the collars and shaking vigorously. It's inexcusable and there's no sympathy whatsoever, this is in the news every week for years. What is WRONG with these stupid people? Tons of money wasted, people's lives on the line. Shoot, home users like me, I take under 30 seconds to shut off SMB1. OMG, what an effort, I demand a raise.

The comments following the article are worth reading, as much as the article itself.

 

[plat]

Its the worst when people's health and lives are the one being compromised by these scumbag hackers.

Nowadays, with this being in the news constantly, I blame the hospital officials. There are no excuses for not investing in high-grade security and the personnel to handle it. Zero. By being complacent, scrimping and short-changing, they can open themselves up to civil/wrongful death lawsuits, in addition to paying the exhorbitant ransom, etc. Do you drive without car insurance? Good luck!

Curse the ransomware people all you want, it's a fact of life and as long as there are idiots, there will be predators to feed on them. It's like a food chain thing.

 

[woodrowbone]

Like someone said, this has been going on for years now.
Why do we never see what kind of security was in place/installed?
I mean if the same product is involved year after year, maybe, just maybe, some of the responsible for that security will take the hint.

/W