Cyber ​​attack causes “major” technology failure in UVM health network

The University of Vermont health network is experiencing network disruption following a cyberattack on Wednesday.

Six hospitals in Vermont and upstate New York are affected by a “significant and ongoing system-wide network problem,” spokesman Neal Goswami said. The group has not confirmed an exact timeline for the system restore.

The network is working with both the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the Vermont Department of Public Safety on the investigation, Goswami said.

The impacts are far reaching, affecting access to the MyChart patient portal, which thousands of patients use to access their health information, records and appointments.

Vermont Public Safety Commissioner Michael Schirling said “there is no indication” that patient information was stolen in the attack, but said investigative groups ” cannot rule that out “.

It appears the University of Vermont Medical Center has been hit the hardest. Officials said some elective proceedings scheduled for Thursday had to be rescheduled and the hope was to resume proceedings on Friday.

“We haven’t had a disruption of such an important part of our operating landscape since these kinds of events began,” Schirling told NBC5 News Thursday. “I think it’s fair to characterize this as the most important that we know of.”

Watch: UVMMC Leaders Hold Cyber ​​Attack Briefing

Officials said UVMHN Home Health and Hospice would also maintain all patient and resident care services.

“Our staff follow well-established waiting procedures to ensure safe patient care,” said Goswami. “We apologize to our patients who have been affected by this situation.”

The group is due to hold a press briefing on the investigation Thursday at 5 p.m.

In a joint alert on Wednesday, the FBI and two federal agencies warned they had “credible information on an increased and imminent cybercrime threat to US hospitals and healthcare providers.” They said “malicious cyber actors” were targeting the industry with ransomware that could lead to “data theft and disruption of healthcare”.

The attacks coincide with the US presidential election, but do not appear to have any connection with it, according to the Associated Press.

This is a developing story. NBC5 News will continue to update this report as new information becomes available.