New Report Shows Massive Increase in Ransomware Attacks
A recent report from software firm VMWare Carbon Black estimates that its health-care customers experienced a 9,851 percent increase in hacking attempts in 2020 compared to the previous year.
May 10, 2021 •
(Shutterstock) (TNS) On a local level, the ransomware attack that engulfed Scripps Health this past week, paralyzing digital resources from hospitals to outpatient clinics, was isolated. Other health care systems in the region have been unaffected and able to assist diverted patients with serious and immediate needs including heart attacks and strokes.
But, look around and it is obvious that Scripps is not alone.
State regulator watching Scripps Health ransomware attack closely
A view of Scripps Memorial Hospital in Hillcrest on Monday, May 3, 2021.
(Sandy Huffaker/For The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Patient care continues at impacted hospitals as others take up the slack
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The California Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday, May 5, that it is monitoring the ransomware attack that has severely impacted Scripps Health facilities throughout San Diego County, but has thus far determined that emergency procedures under way since Saturday, May 1, have been adequate to ensure patients are safe.
The agency, which oversees all hospitals in the state, said that Scripps notified it of the “ransomware attacks” and that it is “actively monitoring” the situation.
SAN DIEGO â On a local level, the ransomware attack that engulfed Scripps Health this past week, paralyzing digital resources from hospitals to outpatient clinics, was isolated. Other health care systems in the region have been unaffected and able to assist diverted patients with serious and immediate needs including heart attacks and strokes.
But, look around and it is obvious that Scripps is not alone.
A recent report from software firm VMWare Carbon Black estimates that its health care customers experienced a 9,851% increase in hacking attempts in 2020 compared to the previous year. And activity intensified with the COVID-19 pandemic, attempts spiking 87% from September to October.
Print
On a local level, the ransomware attack that engulfed Scripps Health this past week, paralyzing digital resources from hospitals to outpatient clinics, was isolated. Other health care systems in the region have been unaffected and able to assist diverted patients with serious and immediate needs including heart attacks and strokes.
But, look around and it is obvious that Scripps is not alone.
A recent report from software firm VMWare Carbon Black estimates that its health care customers experienced a 9,851 percent increase in hacking attempts in 2020 compared to the previous year. And activity intensified with the COVID-19 pandemic, attempts spiking 87 percent from September to October.
May 7, 2021 11:32am
The California Department of Public Health is monitoring the cyberattack as it impacts Scripps Health facilities throughout San Diego County, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported Wednesday. (Getty/cifotart)
Scripps Health said the cyberattack last weekend that took down its IT systems stemmed from malware on its computer network.
San Diego-based Scripps Health, which operates five hospitals in the region, is still offline following the cyberattack on Saturday, May 1 that has significantly disrupted care and forced medical personnel to use paper records.
Local media station NBC 7 reported that the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) described the ongoing situation at Scripps Heath as a case of ransomware attacks.