Baton Rouge General Suffers Ransomware Attack

Baton Rouge General, a healthcare provider in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has confirmed a ransomware attack that occurred in June 2022. The attack resulted in the temporary shutdown of the hospital's electronic medical record (EMR) system, forcing the hospital to switch to paper record-keeping. The incident is part of a broader trend of cyberattacks targeting healthcare organizations, which have seen a significant increase in data breaches.

Company Overview

Baton Rouge General is a healthcare services provider that has been operating in Baton Rouge since 1900. The hospital has a long history of providing healthcare services to the community, including the first open heart surgery in Baton Rouge and the creation of the first diabetes program. The organization operates more than 20 clinics and medical facilities in the Baton Rouge area.

Vulnerabilities and Impact

The ransomware attack on Baton Rouge General highlights the vulnerabilities of healthcare organizations to cyber threats. The attackers gained unauthorized access to the hospital's network, potentially exposing sensitive patient information. The incident resulted in the temporary shutdown of the EMR system, disrupting patient care and forcing the hospital to switch to paper record-keeping.

The attack also had financial implications, with potential costs including ransom payments, recovery and decryption fees, cybersecurity additions and alterations, and possible HIPAA violations and OCR investigations. Additionally, patients may file lawsuits due to the breach of trust.

Response and Mitigation

Baton Rouge General responded to the attack by switching to paper record-keeping and working with state and federal authorities and security vendors to ensure patient data remains private. The hospital also warned customers to view all incoming emails as potential attempts to manipulate targets for financial gain and to confirm the legitimacy of emails before responding.

To prevent similar breaches in the future, businesses should enhance their protection barriers and employ robust cybersecurity features like HIPAA-compliant email. Healthcare organizations must prioritize email security to safeguard patient information and comply with HIPAA regulations.

Sources

• Baton Rouge General
• HealthITSecurity
• Becker's Hospital Review
• IDStrong
• Paubox
• WAFB