Focus: Cybersecurity

Ransomware Attack Leads To Death Of Patient In Germany

Woman died after being diverted to facility 20 miles away when hackers shut down hospital where she was being admitted


A woman in Germany died because the Duesseldorf University Hospital was hit by a ransomware attack couldn’t accept emergency patients, so she was sent to another facility 20 miles away, according to an article on the Campus Safety website.

According to the Associated Press, hackers were able to gain access to the system via weak spot in some unidentified commercial add-on software.

Thirty servers at the hospital were encrypted and an extortion note left on one of the them.

Cyberattacks are increasing during the coronavirus crisis. Cybersecurity company Bitdefender found that pandemic-related attacks increased five-fold in the first two weeks of March. In May and June, an average of 60 percent of all received emails were phony, the article said.

In early April, Interpol warned of increasing ransomware attacks targeting hospitals, knowing the facilities are preoccupied and vulnerable, according to an article on the Security Boulevard website.

Read the full Campus Safety article.

 

 



September 29, 2020


Topic Area: Information Technology


Recent Posts

A Shift in Healthcare Facilities Management

Healthcare facilities leaders who embrace a mindset change will be better prepared for the future.


Trauma-Informed Design Transforms Boston Homeless Shelter

Case study: A comprehensive renovation of St. Francis House makes use of trauma-informed design, infrastructure upgrades and operational improvements.


Inside One of Healthcare's Most Ambitious Hospital Projects 

When someone faces a serious medical condition, having access to world-class care close to home can make all the difference. 


Disinfectant Contact Time: The Case for Biofilm Disruption

Contact time, while essential for compliance, does not reliably predict microbial reduction on actual healthcare surfaces.


Texas HHSC Reaches Construction Milestone for Panhandle State Hospital in Amarillo

Construction is expected to be completed in fall 2027.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.