The Armentières hospital center is starting to get its head above water after the ransomware attack of which it was the victim. Tuesday afternoon, the health establishment reopened its emergency rooms, closed after the cyberattack deplored during the night from Saturday to Sunday.
In a press release, the hospital management explained that the professional software necessary for the operation of emergencies and operating theaters was operational, as were those relating to the management of patient data as well as that for their admission and discharge.
Investigations still ongoing
On the other hand, software relating to the laboratory, medical imaging and pharmacy is still the subject of investigations by IT specialists from the health establishment and experts from Anssi, the French cyber fire brigade, who have come to provide assistance. .
“This means that the machines and automation systems work but that human intervention in programming, analysis and verification is required in order to ensure patient care in complete safety,” specifies the hospital.
Likewise, the general management of the health establishment specifies that non-urgent interventions and consultations have been canceled on Tuesday February 13, always in the interest of patient safety.
27 ransomware attacks in 2022
The Armentières hospital discovered the computer attack during the night from Saturday to Sunday after ransom demand messages were printed by its printers around 2 a.m. An hour later, the health establishment had disconnected all of its computers, before opening a crisis unit in the morning. The emergency room was then closed for 24 hours.
In 2022, the latest figures available, Cert Santé had counted 27 ransomware attacks against hospitals. Seventeen of them had to put in place a degraded mode of operation for several weeks or months.
As worrying as this panorama is, this loss experience must be put into perspective with what is observed elsewhere. Romania has just reported a ransomware attack affecting no less than 18 health centers.