Baton Rouge General Hospital Targeted in Cyberattack

  • By Steven
  • Published: Sep 09, 2022
  • Last Updated: Sep 09, 2022

The number of data breaches continues to increase as we quickly transition to a brave new age of high-tech and internet ubiquity. Criminals are responding accordingly, expanding their hacking and sleuthing skills to the point that digital attacks occur 'round the clock throughout nearly the entire globe. Hackers recently zeroed in on Baton Rouge General Hospital's computer system. Here's a quick look at what we know about the BRGH digital breach.

How was the Attack Conducted?

The hospital system suffered a digital breach that temporarily compromised internal systems. Though BRGH representatives did not provide much information about the hack, the group revealed the digital miscreants responsible for the attack were using social engineering techniques and other forms of manipulation. Word quickly spread in early July that the healthcare services provider had been struck by ransomware. Hackers forwarded a screen capture of the ransomware message written by the hackers responsible for the breach to a nationwide media outlet a couple of weeks later.

The ransom note made it seem like the Hive ransomware specialists were behind the attack. However, when a representative from Hive was contacted, he indicated the media outlet in question had inaccurate information. The fact that the relevant data breach information was not listed on Hive's website specifically dedicated to data leaks indicates the ransom was likely paid, or the two sides were still negotiating ransom payments.

Did the Attack Cripple the BRGH Healthcare Services?

BRGH could still accept new patients after the attack, yet ambulances could not transport those individuals to any of the group's hospitals. The after-effects of the attack lasted several days, preventing the hospital system from transporting patients to the appropriate facilities. 

The attack comes on the heels of a similar digital offensive against the Louisiana Workforce Commissions site. Both sites were temporarily disabled as a result of the hacks.

How did the Hospital Respond to the Attack?

Hospital officials provided little information to local news outlets in the days after acknowledging the attack. Representatives from the healthcare services provider refused to make a public statement on camera to any of the nearby news stations. BRGH officials also highlighted the fact that they are attempting to remedy the issues as quickly as possible.

Doctors, nurses, administrators, and others who work for the healthcare services provider resorted to temporary medical charting with pen and paper instead of using computers. The rapid response to the cyber attack set the stage for the hospital to restore its electronic medical records and patient systems.

A company representative warned customers that they should view all incoming emails as potential attempts to manipulate targets for financial gain. When in doubt, the most prudent approach in the context of digital correspondence is to reach out to the sender of the email message to confirm its legitimacy.

How can Businesses Prevent Similar Breaches?

The most important thing you can do as a business owner or even a computer owner who simply hops online to surf the web is enhance your protection barriers. Recognize that there is a never-ending digital ambush of ransomware hackers, malware, DDoS attacks, and other web-based threats. If you have not updated your digital safeguards in the past six months, now is the time to do so with the assistance of our cybersecurity specialists.

About the Author
IDStrong Logo

Related Articles

Instagram Vulnerability Allowed Hackers Access to Control Your Phone

Security experts Check Point Research discovered a critical vulnerability while examining Instagra ... Read More

Alien Malware Infects More than 226 Mobile Apps and Steals Bank Data

As reported on September 24, 2020, by ZDNet and ThreatPost, a new strain of malware named “A ... Read More

Universal Health Systems Hit by Ransomware Attack

Universal Health Systems (UHS), a Fortune 500 company owning more than 400 hospitals across the co ... Read More

Exchange Server Bug Exposes a Big Risk to Hackers

Months after Microsoft released a patch to fix a serious flaw in MS Exchange Server, more than 61% ... Read More

Clients’ Bank Data Exposed in Blackbaud Ransomware Attack

Blackbaud software was victim to a ransomware attack last May, and new information suggests that c ... Read More

Latest Articles

What You Need to Know about the Hot Topic Data Breach

What You Need to Know about the Hot Topic Data Breach

Hot Topic plays in the fashion, apparel, and shoe industry as a retailer of music-influenced apparel and accessories, such as jeans, tops, belts, dresses, pajamas, sunglasses, jewelry, and tees.

Google Voice Scams: What They Are and How to Stay Safe

Google Voice Scams: What They Are and How to Stay Safe

Google Voice scams continue to pose a risk for users of this service. Scammers continuously attempt to lure users into divulging their verification PIN code.

What Are Pretexting Attacks: Scam Types and Security Tips?

What Are Pretexting Attacks: Scam Types and Security Tips?

Have you ever received a text from someone you do not know? Did you become alarmed by the message? Did the message contain information about you and the people you know?

Featured Articles

How to Buy a House with Bad Credit

How to Buy a House with Bad Credit

Buying your own home is the American Dream, but it might seem out of reach to those with bad credit. However, the good news is, if your credit is less than perfect, you do still have options and in most cases, can still buy a home.

How Secure Is Your Password? Tips to Improve Your Password Security

How Secure Is Your Password? Tips to Improve Your Password Security

Any good IT article on computers and network security will address the importance of strong, secure passwords. However, the challenge of good passwords is that most people have a hard time remembering them, so they use simple or obvious ones that pose a security risk.

Top 10 Senior Scams and How to Prevent Them

Top 10 Senior Scams and How to Prevent Them

Senior scams are becoming a major epidemic for two reasons. First, seniors often have a lot of money in the bank from a life of working hard and saving.

Notice

By proceeding with this scan, you agree to let IDStrong run a Free Scan of supplied parameters of your personal information and provide free preliminary findings in compliance with our Terms of Use and Privacy Notice. You consent to us using your provided information to complete the Free Scan and compare it against our records and breach databases or sources to provide your Free preliminary findings report.

Rest assured: IDStrong will not share your information with third parties or store your information beyond what is required to perform your scan and share your results.

Free Identity Threat Scan
Instantly Check if Your Personal Information is Exposed
All fields below are required
Please enter first name
Please enter last name
Please enter a city
Please select a state
Please enter an age
Please enter an email address
Close