Hackers Gained Access to Files Containing the PHI of 115,670 South Shore Hospital Patients
HIPAA Journal
Steve Alder
Chicago’s South Shore Hospital has started notifying 115,670 current and former patients about a December 2021 cyberattack on its network. Suspicious activity was identified on its network on December 10, 2021, and prompt action was taken to contain the incident. Emergency protocols were implemented to ensure care could continue to be safely provided to patients.
South Shore Hospital engaged a team of third-party computer forensics experts to investigate the security breach and determine whether patient information was accessed or stolen. The investigation confirmed the attackers gained access to parts of its network where files were stored that contained the protected health information of patients and employee data, including names, addresses, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, health insurance information, medical information, diagnoses, health insurance policy numbers, Medicare/Medicaid information, and financial information.
South Shore Hospital said it will...