Kettering, Ohio – A “cybersecurity incident” has led to a system of technology on a system scale and an increase in reported scam calls, Kettering Health announced on Tuesday.
The health network said that unauthorized access to its network has led to an impact on the call center and access to patient care systems. The breakdown forced the cancellation and reprogramming of the elective procedures of hospitalized and ambulatory patients, but Kettering said that all emergency rooms and clinics remain open.
Kettering said that he had confirmed call reports to the scam, because the breakdown that claims to be members of the network of the network requesting credit card payments for medical costs. The health network said it was usual for employees to contact patients to discuss payment options, but that all calls have been canceled until further notice due to the scam.
“We encourage anyone who receives a scam call to report it to local law enforcement,” Kettering said.
CNN reports Ransomware has been deployed on Kettering’s IT systems. The note, considered by CNN, threatens to disclose data stolen from Kettering online unless the health network negotiates extortion costs.
Watch: the cybersecurity expert breaks down the attack on Kettering’s health
Cyberatack Forces Ouling at Kettering Health, the callors for the scam are trying to obtain information on the patient credit card
Richard Harknett, director of the Cyber Strategment and Policy Center at the University of Cincinnati, examined the cybersecurity incident of Kettering Health.
“It’s a fairly complete attack, and it has all the brands of an organized criminal gang,” said Harknett.
Harknett said the number of cybergangs specializing in ransomware attacks has almost doubled in the past two years.
WCPO 9 contacted Kettering Health Media Relations to ask if they could confirm that it was ransomware attack.
They did not answer this question and shared their first declaration published on their website, referring to “a system of technology on a system scale”.
Harknett said hospitals have a target on the back for ransomware attacks.
“They have a lot of precious data, a lot of personal data. But they also have an emergency,” said Harknett.
Because hospitals are dealing with the lives of patients and sometimes situations of life or death, Harknett said that the pressure to pay and recover information and technology is higher.
We have seen several comments on Facebook of Kettering Health Patiens worrying about the risk for their personal information. Harknett said that it was a ransomware attack, leaks could be possible.
In an online statement, Kettering Health said they “had taken measures to contain and mitigate this activity and actively investigate and monitor the situation”.
We asked Harknett if there were something other than possible leaks that patients had to worry.
“If some of these fuy data, then there will be other types of criminal actors who are then trying to arnaquking,” said Harknett.
Harknett recommends paying particular attention to your credit cards which are in file with Kettering Health.
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