Mississippi hospital system closes all clinics after ransomware attack
JACKSON, Miss. — A ransomware attack forced the University of Mississippi Medical Center to close clinics and cancel elective procedures for a second day Friday.
University officials warned that the shutdown could continue for several days while they try to assess the extent of the attack and restore network systems that they took down as a precaution.
Hospitals and emergency rooms remained open and patients were receiving appropriate care, Vice Chancellor LouAnn Woodward said at a news conference Thursday. She said the attack affected “many systems,” including the electronic health records platform.
“Some of us in the room have been here long enough to remember caring for patients with pen and paper,” she said.
Authorities are trying to determine whether patients’ private information was accessed, Woodward said.
She said the attackers communicated with the university, but she did not disclose their requests. The university works with the FBI.
The FBI’s top priority is restoring systems to restore patient care, FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Eikhoff said during Thursday’s news conference.
