The FBI is investigating a multiple-state hospital ransomware attack

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is currently conducting an investigation into a ransomware attack that has caused the shutdown of emergency rooms in multiple states, as reported by The Guardian. In response to the attack, Prospect Medical Holdings, a California-based healthcare provider with hospitals across several states, has taken its systems offline to protect them. The company has also partnered with third-party cybersecurity specialists to conduct an investigation.

The Eastern Connecticut Health Network (ECHN) has been forced to close several of its facilities, including diagnostics labs and elective surgery centers. Additionally, portions of its network dedicated to gastroenterology, podiatry, urgent care, and women’s wellness have also been affected. The network, which is rebranding as X, has taken to Twitter to notify its patients about the situation.

Robert Fuller, the head of the FBI’s New Haven field office, has emphasized the close collaboration between law enforcement agencies and the affected organizations to address the issues. The FBI is urging anyone who may have been impacted to report the incident to ic3.gov or their local FBI field office, according to CBS News.

Yesterday, the US Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) introduced its FY2024-2026 Cybersecurity Plan. The agency aims to alter the course of national security risks by implementing fundamental changes to stay ahead of cybercriminals. The plan focuses on immediate threat disruption, system fortification through security investment guidance, and incentivizing tech companies to prioritize secure-by-default products and transparent security practices.