McLaren Health Care has officially confirmed that they were hit by a ransomware attack, once again, on Friday coming only a few short weeks from when they reported a cyberattack earlier in August.
McLaren Health Care stated that IT disruptions as a result of the attack are expected to continue throughout the end of August, but eased some concerns by confirming that the incident is contained, although some of McLaren’s systems remains limited.
McLaren Health Care was hit by a ransomware attack last year in another example of just how destructive ransomware attacks can be and how they have become a growing problem and threat within the healthcare sector.
“Our employees are absolutely inspiring. Under extremely trying circumstances, McLaren teams on the frontlines and those in support roles across the state have answered the call,” Phil Incarnati, McLaren president and CEO, said in a statement issued on Friday (h/t the Lansing State Journal).. “From doctors and nurses to dietary professionals, administrative assistants, patient advocates and all team members in between, our patients, their families and our communities will be forever grateful for your resilience and kindness. Thank you.
“We kindly ask patients seeking care and visitors to our facilities for their continued patience. Our clinical and support teams are some of the best out there, but they are working in a very challenging environment while we recover from this attack. They are the ones showing up on the frontlines every day to ensure our communities receive the care they need” he continued.
“Our experience has made clear that cyberattacks against our health care infrastructure are an industrywide problem, and it’s not hyperbole to call health care cybercrime a national security threat,” he added.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessell has called for stronger disclosure rules that could obligate companies to share data breaches earlier.
