A malware attack at Universal Health Services, one of the largest hospital chains in the U.S., has highlighted long-standing cybersecurity concerns faced by hospitals.
To contain a malware intrusion that UHS discovered in its information systems Sunday, UHS took all of its U.S. information technology networks offline, including systems for medical records, laboratories and pharmacies. UHS has been bringing servers back online as it investigates the cyberattack, so some facilities don’t have all applications available yet.
Not all of UHS’ information systems were compromised by malware. The malware didn’t hit UHS’ electronic health records system, though the system was taken offline as part of UHS’ response, according to Marc Miller, UHS’ president. The health system last month said Miller will take the helm as CEO in January when his father, UHS founder and longtime CEO Alan Miller, steps down.
“We promptly shut down in order to prevent further propagation,” Miller
