U.S. Sen. Rick Scott is urging the FBI to investigate a cyberattack at Tampa (Fla.) General Hospital that compromised the protected health information of 1.2 million patients.
In a letter sent July 21, Mr. Scott wrote that the FBI should "prioritize its investigation of this malicious cyberattack and quickly identify, arrest and prosecute the perpetrator."
The attack, which began on the health system's computer systems May 31, was carried out by hackers over a three-week period.
Although Tampa General's EHR system was not accessed, the hackers were able to steal patients' Social Security numbers, names, addresses, phone numbers, health insurance information and some treatment information.
"I urge you to assign all necessary resources at your disposal to prioritize the investigation of this incident and ask that you keep my office apprised of your progress," Mr. Scott wrote.