The Midwest Transplant Network in Westwood, Kansas, has fallen victim to a ransomware attack in February that affected over 17,000 persons, reports KCUR.
Officials sent out letters to affected individuals to inform them of the incident, which compromised some personal health information about organ recipients and deceased donors, including names, types of organ donation, birthdates or transplantation procedures.
“As soon as we learned about the data security incident on Feb. 11, we began working with a team of security experts to quickly halt the unauthorized access,” said Midwest Transplant Network spokeswoman Michala Stoker. “We also notified the FBI and we continue to communicate and work with them regularly.”
Stoker did not disclose if a ransom was paid in order to restore access to the facility’s files. Although there was no evidence that any of the data obtained was sold or distributed by the hackers, MTN sought the services of cybersecurity firm Kroll to help them with the situation.
Officials sent out letters to affected individuals to inform them of the incident, which compromised some personal health information about organ recipients and deceased donors, including names, types of organ donation, birthdates or transplantation procedures.
“As soon as we learned about the data security incident on Feb. 11, we began working with a team of security experts to quickly halt the unauthorized access,” said Midwest Transplant Network spokeswoman Michala Stoker. “We also notified the FBI and we continue to communicate and work with them regularly.”
Stoker did not disclose if a ransom was paid in order to restore access to the facility’s files. Although there was no evidence that any of the data obtained was sold or distributed by the hackers, MTN sought the services of cybersecurity firm Kroll to help them with the situation.
