Data stolen during ransomware attack at five hospitals now published online

Data connected to a ransomware attack at five hospitals across southwestern Ontario, including three in Windsor-Essex, has now been published online.

Bluewater Health, Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, Erie Shores HealthCare, Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare and Windsor Regional Hospital, and the shared service provider TransForm Shared Service Organization, were recently the victims of a ransomware attack that impacted operations as well as certain patient, employee and professional staff data.

A release issued Thursday by the organizations states "we have become aware that data connected to the cyber incident has been published. We are reviewing the data to determine its contents.

Working with leading cybersecurity experts, we continue to investigate to determine the exact data impacted. Any individuals whose data was affected by this cyberattack will be promptly notified, in accordance with the law."

The ransomware attack started Oct. 23 and was originally called a "service interruption."

Hospital officials are working with law enforcement - including local police departments, Ontario Provincial Police, INTERPOL and FBI - and relevant regulatory organizations including the Ontario Information and Privacy Commissioner.

Officials say they continue to work around the clock to restore systems, and expect to have updates related to the restoration of our systems in the coming days. 

The hospitals will continue contact patients directly in advance if they have a scheduled appointment with one of the hospitals that needs to be rescheduled.

If patients do not need emergency care, they're asked to attend their primary care provider or local clinic.