‘Ransomware’ Hack On Hospital Raises Red Flags For Cybersecurity Specialists
As Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center goes public with the news that it paid out $17,000 to recover its locked electronic records, industry experts warn that such cyberattacks could escalate.
The Associated Press:
Los Angeles Hsopital Attack Concerns Cybersecurity Experts
Cybersecurity experts worry that the $17,000 a Los Angeles hospital paid hackers to regain control of its computers could signal a troubling escalation of the growing "ransomware" threat. Though patient care was not "compromised in any way," Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center paid the bounty "in the best interest of restoring normal operations," President Allen Stefanek said in a written statement. (Pritchard, 2/18)
Reuters:
California Hospital Makes Rare Admission Of Hack, Ransom Payment
While it was not the first hacked organization to acquiesce to attackers' demands, the California hospital that paid $17,000 in ransom to hackers to regain control of its computer system was unusual in one notable way: It went public with the news. Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center relented to the demands, President Allen Stefanek said, because he believed it was the "quickest and most efficient way" to free the Los Angeles hospital's network, which was paralyzed for about 10 days.(Finkle, 2/18)
Los Angeles Times:
Hollywood Hospital Pays $17,000 In Bitcoin To Hackers; FBI Investigating
The hospital said it alerted authorities and was able to regain control of all its computer systems by Monday, with the assistance of technology experts. [Chief Executive Allen] Stefanek said patient care was never compromised, nor were hospital records. (Winton, 2/18)