In light of the recent cyberattacks on two New Jersey hospitals and a significant data breach impacting millions in New York, the healthcare sector has again been reminded of the critical need for robust data security and governance. These incidents, part of the Hackensack Meridian Health System and Perry Johnson & Associates, led to substantial operational disruptions and potential identity theft risks.
The New Jersey incidents:
Pascack Valley and Mountainside Medical Centers experienced a ransomware attack, causing significant disruption to their computer networks. The attack forced emergency rooms to divert status, directly affecting patient care and critical hospital operations. Because of the cyberattack, essential functions like lab work and billing had to revert to manual processes.
The ransomware attack likely encrypted or locked out access to critical systems and data necessary for emergency room operations. This includes access to electronic health records (EHRs), patient management systems, and other digital tools essential for emergency care. With systems compromised, the hospital’s ability to deliver safe and effective emergency care was likely hindered. Diverting…
