Massachusetts Hospital Diverts Ambulances After Cyber Incident
Summary
A cyber incident at Signature Healthcare and Brockton Hospital disrupted information systems, prompting ambulance diversions and canceled chemotherapy infusions. Emergency services and scheduled surgeries continued as the hospital investigated; no group claimed the act.
Key points
- Signature Healthcare and Brockton Hospital said they detected suspicious activity in part of their network and activated incident response and downtime procedures.
- Ambulances were diverted, and chemotherapy infusions were canceled; inpatient and walk-in emergency services and scheduled surgeries continued.
- The hospital warned patients to expect delays while it works with outside experts to investigate and restore affected systems.
- No hacking group had claimed responsibility as of the article's reporting.
- Health ISAC's chief security officer described sustained malicious activity targeting healthcare, including ransomware and data-extortion operations; he did not identify specific undisclosed incidents.
Article Details
- Victim Organization
- Signature Healthcare and Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital
- Incident Type
- Cyberattack involving suspicious network activity and disruption to information systems
- Operational Impact
- Ambulances were diverted, downtime procedures were activated, and chemotherapy infusion services were canceled. Inpatient, walk-in emergency services, and scheduled surgeries continued. The hospital warned patients to expect delays while systems were investigated and restored.
- Ransom Or Extortion
- No ransom or extortion activity was reported for this incident. The hospital said no hacking group had claimed responsibility as of Tuesday.
- Claim Status
- confirmed