St. Louis, MO – A major cyberattack on Ascension’s network has triggered widespread disruptions, forcing the healthcare giant to cancel surgeries and delay numerous doctor appointments. The crisis unfolded on Thursday when Ascension detected suspicious activities on its technology networks, signaling a severe cybersecurity breach.
The network intrusion has severely impacted the system’s ability to access medical records, plunging clinical operations into turmoil. Despite the challenges, Ascension locally in Joliet and Kankakee locations maintains that patient care continues, albeit under strained conditions. The organization has reassured the public that their care teams are well-prepared for such disruptions, implementing contingency plans to keep patient care safe and effective.
Ascension has enlisted cybersecurity experts from Mandiant to assist in the ongoing investigation and recovery efforts. Law enforcement has also been notified as part of the comprehensive response strategy. Ascension is currently assessing the scope of data potentially compromised and is committed to supporting affected individuals in line with regulatory requirements.
