UMMC works around clock after cyberattack; FBI onsite
University of Mississippi Medical Center said Feb. 20 that teams are working around the clock after a cyberattack Thursday, and federal authorities, including specialized FBI teams, are assisting onsite.
The medical center said it has engaged the services of three national vendors with expertise in cyber forensics, recovery and security. Officials said it remains unknown how extensive the infiltration is or how long it will take to return to regular operations.
UMMC said its phone systems and email remain down or unreliable but that its hospitals and emergency departments continue to provide safe care. The center said it has alerted other hospitals that it can again accept transfers of patients who need higher-level care and that ambulance services have been notified it is no longer on diversion. The phone number to contact Mississippi MED-COM about patient transfers is 601-362-4264.
Officials said they are working on a way for patients to contact the system about routine medical or medication needs and are reaching out to patients receiving time-sensitive treatments, such as chemotherapy, to set up appointments. We will provide more information as it becomes available.
