Cyber Attack Targets Norton Healthcare Facility in Indiana
Have you heard of it? A Norton Healthcare facility in Indiana was recently the target of a cyber attack. Norton Healthcare is one of the leading healthcare providers in the state of Indiana, and this attack has caused major disruptions for both patients and staff.
The cyber attack was first discovered when an employee’s files were infected with ransomware, which then led to the Norton Healthcare system shutting down its computer systems throughout the organization in order to eliminate the virus called Locky.
Norton Healthcare officials believe that the virus only infected one user’s files. They attribute this in part to education and awareness about ongoing email and cyber threats, which helped employees act swiftly once the virus was discovered.
Hospital staff reverted to using pen and paper for documentation while the systems were down, which undoubtedly caused some inconvenience. However, Norton Healthcare’s quick response helped minimize the damage and disruption caused by the cyber attack.
A statement from the health system indicated most of the systems are back online. Linda Darnell, senior director of information technology and security, said Norton Healthcare is “continuing to work on a few systems.”
Darnell also said Norton Healthcare is “reviewing and enhancing” its security measures in the wake of the attack.
Norton Healthcare is not alone in facing cyber attacks. Hospitals and healthcare facilities across the country have been targeted by hackers in recent years. In 2016, Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center in California was the victim of a ransomware attack that caused the hospital to pay $17,000 in order to regain access to its files.
While Norton Healthcare did not have to pay a ransom, the incident highlights the importance of cybersecurity for all hospitals and healthcare organizations. Cyberattacks can cause significant financial damage and disruptions, which is why it’s so important for these organizations to have robust security measures in place.
Norton Healthcare has already taken steps to boost its security in the wake of the attack. The organization is working with external cybersecurity experts to review its systems and make sure they are as secure as possible. Norton Healthcare is also educating its employees on cyber threats and how to avoid them in the future.
By taking these steps, Norton Healthcare is making it clear that it takes cybersecurity seriously and is committed to protecting its patients, staff, and systems from future attacks.
If your health care facility doesn’t have a cyber security plan in place, now is the time to create one. And if you’re not sure where to start, AIS can help. With resources like their cybersecurity framework, AIS can help you create a comprehensive plan to protect your facility from future attacks.
Don’t wait until it’s too late – take action now to safeguard your hospital against cyber threats.