Scripps Health

History

2021: Shut down all IT systems as a result of ransomware attack

In early May 2021, a large network of Scripps Health clinics deployed in the San Diego state California underwent, as to the attack ransomware a result of which all the company's IT systems were disconnected.

The virus attack was discovered on May 1 and affected computer systems in at least two hospitals. In addition, clinic websites and related services were disabled. Details about the ransomware attack were not disclosed.

A large network of Scripps Health clinics has been attacked by ransomware viruses

According to the San Diego Union-Tribune newspaper, as a result of the cyber attack, medical records were also destroyed, which caused medical personnel to switch to paper documents. It is also reported that in most clinics of the network telemetry systems and electronic monitoring of patient vital indicators ceased to work.

The ransomware virus attack caused Scripps Mercy clinics in the Hillcrest San Diego area and Scripps Memorial Hospital in the La Hoya area to stop taking patients.

Scripps Health announced in its Twitter account only about the "incident related to the security of IT systems." The company also added that while clinic network IT applications have been shut down, "our facilities continue to provide safe and effective patient care through established backup and offline documentation procedures."

The ransomware attack on Scripps Health is not the first cyber attack aimed at a health care provider.

Hackers are looking for vulnerable targets that can be attacked to receive financial rewards, "said Purandar Das, CEO and co-founder of the Sotero data security platform. - These include clinic networks, as medical information is more valuable than other categories of stolen data.[1]

2020: Insurance representative in hospital steals data of dying from COVID-19 to receive their benefits

Matthew Lombardo, who worked as an insurance representative at Scripps Health Hospital in San Diego, stole data from dying COVID-19 patients and, along with accomplices, filed claims for benefits on their behalf.

"Do we need old people?" asked Matthew Lombardo, sending a message from a clinic in San Diego. He was one of 13 thousand employees of the Scripps Health network, and met with patients to discuss their insurance payments. "No. I mean someone about 55 years old or younger, who doesn't have long... Maybe a few days or something, "replied his accomplice Conrad Piekos, a suspect in the heroin and methamphetamine trade. "OK. I'll break up and see what I can find. In any case, there should be several, "wrote Lombardo.

This correspondence, according to the search warrant, is part of the scheme according to which Lombardo stole the personal information of those dying from coronavirus. He photographed the data of patients from the screen of a hospital computer, where their names, birthdays, social insurance numbers and addresses were indicated. Later, he sent this data to an accomplice of Piekos, who filed applications for benefits, including unemployment in connection with the pandemic. According to Lombardo himself, he photographed more than 60 patient forms. The Ministry of Justice does not yet know whether the fraudsters were able to obtain COVID benefits, but notes that they had previously successfully submitted applications for benefits on behalf of prisoners.

The investigation began in October 2020 after a San Diego County sheriff's assistant stopped Piekos for driving without a license plate. When the policeman noticed an assault rifle in the cabin, he searched the car. Inside were $40 thousand in cash and other firearms.

The next warrant was issued to search the house of Piekos, where Ryan Genetti lived, another alleged accomplice of the crime. According to investigators, weapons, heroin and fentanyl were found in the house. The phones of Piekos and Genetti were also seized, as a result of which correspondence with Lombardo was discovered. Police believe that he became part of the criminal scheme in August 2020.

Piekos was detained in March on charges of possession of firearms and drugs. Lombardo was arrested and first appeared in court in July 2021.

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