Hackers stole data from 2,300 people at CIUSSS de l’Est de Montréal

Hard hit by the epidemicCIUSSS de l’Est-de-l’Île-de-Montréal is recovering from a computer attack that slowed activities. This cyber attack started at the end of May and we noticed it on June 3, related to Jean-Francois Fortin-Verault, Deputy Director General of the Foundation.

Microsoft and the Ministry of Health’s Cyber ​​Defense Team succeeded in stopping the attacker(s) on June 5. But the system is still fragile. The intranet has been restarted, but Internet access is not possible from computers in hospitals or CIUSSS CHSLDs.

The Internet was shut down to ensure the integrity of information systems. Our number one goal is for patient information to be secure.

The intranet is working, but several sources at two CIUSSS hospitals say activities have been disrupted.

We are already caught in a dilapidated hospital, and the computer attack is ice on a sundae, a medical resource from Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital.

Management wants to be reassured in this regard. Access to patient records works, explains Mr. Fortin Verreault.

The government should invest

But even if the response was quick, the data was stolen. There are 2,340 potential medical residents whose identities could be stolenروق, says Mr. Fortin Verreault. The files of 9 patients who filed complaints were also stolen.

All of these files contain personal information that could be sensitive. People are all contacted to offer Equifax protection to them, because the most likely risk is identity theft, determines the director.

However, CIUSSS de l’Est-de-l’Île-de-Montréal began upgrading its computer equipment – a decision made in the wake of cyber attack suffered by the CIUSSS du Center-Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal last fall.

Quebec is improving the protection of health data. But Quebec Solidere member Vincent Marisal wants us to pick up the pace. There is equipment that is not always on the cutting edge. Especially the shortage of manpower. The government should invest, says the regional representative for Rosemont.

Hospitals are increasingly targeted

This attack comes at a time when many organizations in other parts of the world are exposed to computer attacks. This is the case of Humber River Hospital in Toronto, which has been virtually paralyzed for 48 hours.

Medical data is worth its weight in gold, refers to Jean-Philippe Decari Mathieu, Head of Cyber ​​Security at Vigile.

It is believed that the number of attacks on hospitals is not accidental. If hackers attack hospitals, it may be because of poor protection, as Mr. Décarie-Mathieu thinks.

The deputy director of CIUSSS de l’Est-de-l’Île-de-Montréal notes that the phenomenon is exploding.

Internationally, cyber attacks on hospitals have historically accounted for 17% of the total. It has increased to 25% over the past year, says Mr. Fortin Verreault.

The problems and additional costs of health networks, already stifled by the pandemic.