Fresno, Calif.-based United Health Centers, which has 21 locations across California, was hit by a ransomware attack that reportedly forced its entire network to shut down and resulted in patients' data being stolen, according to an Oct. 12 Fresno Bee report.
Five things to know:
- The cyberattack reportedly disrupted its network and resulted in patient data theft, the Bee reported. The ransomware group Vice Society claimed responsibility for the disruption on United Health Centers' systems, according to the report.
- Vice Society, which emerged in June, began leaking patient data that it allegedly stole during the ransomware attack, Bleeping Computer reported. The stolen data reportedly included financial information, patient lab results and more. Twenty percent of Vice Society's victims on its data leak site are in the healthcare industry, according to the report.
- Kevin Linder, a patient of United Health Centers, said he was alerted by a credit report that some of his data, such as his Social Security number, were posted on the dark web. The source of the breach was the California clinics, the Bee reported.
- David Phillips, a spokesperson for United Health Centers, told the Bee that it "recently experienced technical difficulties, resulting in a disruption to certain computer systems."
- Mr. Philips said the computer systems were restored to full functionality and an investigation of the disruption is underway, the Bee reported.
Becker's Hospital Review reached out to United Health Centers for comment and will update the story if it receives any additional information.