Ascension Healthcare Suffers Cyber Attack, Urges Disconnection of Networks

In a shocking development, a major healthcare nonprofit organization called Ascension has experienced disruptions in its clinical operations due to a suspected cybersecurity incident. Ascension has urged its healthcare clients to temporarily disconnect from their networks while addressing the issue. The company detected unusual activity on some of its computer systems on May 8, prompting an immediate investigation and reporting to the relevant authorities. Ascension has taken measures to guarantee patient safety and minimize the effect on patient care during this period. If any sensitive patient data is compromised, Ascension will alert those affected. Ransomware incidents have become increasingly common among healthcare providers in the United States, with some causing significant disruptions to patient care and resulting in substantial financial losses for providers. This includes a February ransomware attack on a subsidiary of UnitedHealth, one of the biggest US health insurance companies. Ascension has hired third-party expert Mandiant to handle the investigation and rectification process, and has informed the necessary authorities.