A ransomware cyber attack disrupted operations at four Pennsylvania healthcare facilities late last week. The attack targeted the computer networks of Prospect Medical Holdings and forced several clinics and hospital emergency rooms to shut down across Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Texas and California. 

In Pennsylvania, the ransomware attack impacted Delaware County Memorial Hospital in Drexel Hill, Taylor Hospital in Ridley Park, Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Upland, and Springfield Hospital in Springfield, in addition shuttering medical facilities in other states.

Ransomware attacks have become a major cybersecurity threat, especially for the healthcare industry. Ransomware is a type of computer malware, or malicious software, that uses digital encryption to lock up critical files and then demands that the target pay the attackers some amount of money in order to regain access to the data. 

Ransomware attacks against healthcare facilities are particularly dangerous because in addition to compromising sensitive data, they can threaten the lives and well-being of a potentially large number of patients. 

This time, the malware targets were not so lucky. As of Sunday morning, the website for Delaware County Memorial Hospital said the facility was still “temporarily closed” due to “a system-wide outage” at Prospect Medical facilities.