Patient files in the Darknet: This is how the LUP clinics react!

Patient files in the Darknet: This is how the LUP clinics react!

The digital danger in the area of healthcare is real and explosive. The Lup clinics have recently received alarming forensic results: patient data have appeared in the Darknet. This was confirmed by extensive investigations, such as nordkurier.de reported.

A hacker attack on the LUP clinics in February 2023 endangered sensitive data, including patient files. The clinic management now warns of possible fraud attempts, even if there are no signs of misuse of the data. Affected patients are asked to be vigilant for suspects or strange emails.

cyber attacks as an increasing threat

cyber attacks on clinics are not an isolated case. The recent events underline a worrying tendency: according to the [Ärzteblatt] (https://www.aerztblatt.de/archiv/cyberatraitratratrats-mes-fahren-fahren- und-countermeasures-E2187FD2-3c72e-9093-e8d317cbdf52) Health facilities. This industry is developing into a target for criminals, which is also reflected in the statistics.

In 2022, the Federal Criminal Police Office registered over 136,000 cyber attacks, with only one tenth attack being reported. In 2023, the attacks on healthcare increased by 74 % compared to the previous year. The current situation shows that networking and digital everyday life result in growing dependence on IT infrastructures, which increases the risks for clinics.

reinforcement of the security measures

In the light of these incidents, the LUP clinics have significantly reinforced their safety precautions. IT security specialists were integrated and the affected systems were separated from the network after the attack. New, safer IT systems have been set up to meet the requirements for data protection. It is important that hospitals are based on industry -specific security standards in order to be up to the challenges of a digital age.

Not only the Lup clinics are affected. The Deegenberg Clinic in Bad Kissingen also had to process a similar incident in October 2023, in which Hacker published data on the Dark Web. Criminals, which call themselves "Hunters International", also set up ransom demands during an attack, which also restricts the scope of the clinics, such as Br.de.

The range of ideas that hackers often operate with ransomware systems that offer their “services” in the Darknet is widespread. Ransomware attacks in which data are encrypted to request ransom dominate the digital black market and thus not only influence the legal but also the health care structures.

The LUP clinics strive for information and prevention in cooperation with data protection authorities and the State Criminal Police Office. It is essential to develop an emergency plan and train regularly in order to be able to react quickly and effectively to possible cyber attacks.

The current situation clearly shows that patients and medical facilities must continue to prepare. It is to be hoped that data security in healthcare can be improved by joint efforts.