Southern Ohio Medical Center canceling some appointments after cyberattack
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — A not-for-profit hospital in Portsmouth, Ohio was hit by a cyberattack.
The Southern Ohio Medical Center said its computer servers appear to be the victim of a targeted cyberattack.
A few hours before, the hospital said it was experiencing an unplanned downtime of clinical systems.
The hospital posted that it does not affect their ability to care for patients but some procedures may need to be rescheduled. Ambulances are being diverted to other hospitals.
The hospital said the following appointments are canceled for Friday, Nov. 12:
- Medical Care Foundation Office
- Medical imaging office
- Cancer services
- Cardiovascular testing
- Cardiac catheterization
- Outpatient surgery
- Outpatient physical and occupational rehab
SOMC said it is working with federal law enforcement and internet security firms. It is unknown what, if any, data may have been compromised.
The Justice Department is stepping up actions to combat ransomware and cybercrime through arrests and other actions, its No. 2 official told The Associated Press last week.
Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said that "in the days and weeks to come, you're going to see more arrests," more seizures of ransom payments to hackers and additional law enforcement operations.
"If you come for us, we're going to come for you," Monaco said in an interview.
A few days later, a suspected Ukrainian hacker was arrested and charged in the United States in connection with a string of costly ransomware attacks.
