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THE American Hospital Association And non-profit health-ISAC (Information and Analysis Center) warns a potential terrorist threat to American hospitals in the coming weeks.
On March 18, the @Axactual user published an article on X with details related to the active planning of a coordinated and multi-city terrorist attack against organizations in the United States health sector, according to the Joint threat bulletin.
The terrorist attack on hospitals would be that of the Islamic State, a division of the jihadist group of the Islamic State, according to The Hipaa Journal. The position was added to the X-account X account, which claims to be a Christian company in the United States which consists of JSOC (Special Spouse Operations Command), CIA and combat veterans, said the Hipaa Journal.
American Kinetix said that he had received reports on possible monitoring before attacks in hospitals.
The Post said that chatter in Islamic State training camps in Afghanistan have confirmed that planning is in advanced phase, the Hipaa Journal said. According to the post, ISIS-K would use improvised explosive devices transmitted by a vehicle (VBIED) followed by armed assaults and hostage scenarios.
“Intelligence suggests that these attacks must occur before the Aviation / DC attack of Al-Q’aida, probably making hospitals a prelude to a larger operation,” said the position, according to this report.
The main objectives would be intermediate -level cities with low security facilities, the joint threat bulletin said. The information claiming several simultaneous targets, the attackers would probably select the health sector installations with visibly low security and carry out priority planning coordination.
It is common for individuals to envisage targeted acts of violence to carry out monitoring and recognition before attacks, said the bulletin. Having a visible security presence can mitigate being chosen as a target during the planning phase of an attack.
AHA and health-Isac said they were sharing the joint threat bulletin of an abundance of prudence to publicize the potential threat. AHA and health-Isac are in close contact with the FBI and have said that they would provide additional information as they become available.
Currently, no information is available to corroborate or put the credibility of this threat, said the bulletin.
“Generally, foreign terrorist groups do not have their next attacks published,” said AHA and health-Isac in the bulletin. “However, this widely seen position can encourage others to engage in malicious activities directed towards the health sector, so that threats of this nature should be taken seriously. Security teams should examine emergency management plans and make the potential threat internally.”
The groups have recommended that organizations examine and assess the coordination and capacities of physical security, cybersecurity and emergency management plans and to increase relations with local and federal police to rationalize response efforts during an attack.
In addition, staff and security teams should remain vigilant for any suspicious activity, as well as people or vehicles on organizational premises or near health facilities, said the bulletin. If it is identified, they advise to immediately inform the application of local law.
Send an email to the writer: Smorse@himss.org