Toronto hospital working to restore systems after being struck by cyber attack
Humber River Hospital says it is still working to restore its IT systems more than 24 hours after being struck by a ransomware attack.
In a statement Tuesday afternoon, the hospital acknowledged that its systems were struck by a new malware attack at around 2 a.m. on June 14 and that it has been operating under a “Code Grey,” which is declared when the hospital is dealing with a loss of essential services, since then.
The hospital, located near Wilson Avenue and Keele Street, said the threat was discovered almost immediately and its 5,000 computers – including those that manage patient records – were shut down in order to protect them.
Ransomware usually functions by encrypting files on target computers so that the information cannot be accessed by its rightful owners and then demanding a ransom to de-encrypt the information.
While the system shutdown prevented most computers from being encrypted, some files were corrupted, the hospital said.
“The IT department has been working with an external recovery firm who are assisting by being in the facility and online with the recovery planning,” the hospital said in its statement.
Each of the hospital’s computers is being restarted manually and fixed with a patch developed by cyber security firm Symantec.
“We will bring systems back online in a staggered approach over the next 48 hours. It is important to know that no confidential information was released,” the hospital said.
The cyber attack forced the closure of a number of clinics today. Surgeries are continuing as planned and the emergency department is still open but functioning on ambulance redirect.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally as demand dips
AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a 'surplus of available updated vaccines' since the pandemic.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
Toronto police seek suspect vehicle after security guard shot outside Drake's mansion
Toronto police are seeking help from the public as they continue to investigate a shooting that seriously injured a security guard outside rapper Drake's mansion.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they've changed their name
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
These snakes not only fake their own deaths, they use gory special effects to do it
Awards season may be over for human actors this year, but there’s no rest for some of nature’s most audacious thespians.