In the early morning hours of Sunday, August 27, a “cybersecurity incident” forced Prevea and Hospital Sisters Health Systems in Wisconsin and Illinois to shut down their computer operating systems and communications systems, which are still being restored.
In a Sept. 1 video address, HSHS President and CEO Daymond Boatwright said that following pre-planned steps, these systems can be taken offline while providing care and have full coverage. He explained that the process of discovering the impact is still ongoing.
Boatwright said law enforcement and third-party experts are investigating whether personal information was compromised, but that suspicious emails, texts and phone calls were sent to patients, primarily about billing. He said there was already a report. They have been asked to preserve it for investigation purposes.
The phone system went down completely early in the process, but a lot of things have since come back up. Anyone with questions or evidence should email questions@hshs.org.