Scripps Health hospital system in Southern California targeted by a Cyberattack

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A Southern California hospital system was forced to temporarily modify its patient care procedures after it was targeted by a cyberattack. Scripps Health has 5 hospital campuses and several other outpatient facilities spread throughout San Diego County. The officials first alerted the public about the attack on Sunday. The hospital system officials said in a statement that it moved its information technology programs offline in response to the attack, which it identified on 1^st May 2021. It was discovered that employees who were typically having access to those programs while treating patients at the hospital campuses, including off-campus patients trying to access their patient portals online were unable to get through. So, Scripps Health employees had to rely upon alternative methods while caring for patients.

Scripps Health said in a statement that patient care continues to be delivered safely and effectively despite the cyberattack. The hospital system said it was rescheduling some patient appointments initially set for Sunday and Monday. However, Scripps Health’s urgent care and emergency departments were still open for patients with immediate needs. Moreover, Scripps Health’s website remained offline on Monday afternoon. Their facilities were open to patients, but the hospital system was still working to reschedule some appointments and encouraged those unsure about their appointment status to call their hospital campuses directly. The hospital system said it was working with law enforcement and relevant government organizations to respond to the attack. The San Diego Union-Tribune and KNSD-TV reported that some patients with life-threatening conditions were taken to other hospitals.

Point to be noted that Cyberattacks on healthcare systems occurred several times over the last year. The secretary of the US Department of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas said that it was a threat to national security. Last week, a ransomware task force comprised of experts from the public and private sectors presented a report that offered tips on how to prevent and respond to ransomware attacks. Mayorkas was speaking at the beginning of a virtual presentation. He acknowledged recent efforts by the US Department of Justice and the White House to combat ransomware. Mayorkas said the DHS also planned to work closely with those behind the task force’s report to turn its recommendations into action.