After that of Dax, the Villefranche-sur-Saône (Rhône) hospital center announced on Monday that it was the victim of a large-scale computer attack, ”detected at 4:30 am.
This attack by the RYUK crypto-virus (a "ransomware") "strongly impacts" the sites of Villefranche, Tarare and Trévoux of the North West Hospital, the latter said in a press release.
"Ransomware" is malicious software that blocks data on a computer system, which can only be accessed after payment of a ransom.
In order to limit the spread of the virus, access to the information system and to the Internet were cut and workstations disconnected with the exception of the emergency switchboard.
All telephony has been made inaccessible, adds the hospital.
Technical investigations are continuing with the help of the National Information Systems Security Agency (Anssi).
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All the hospital teams immediately put in place so-called “degraded” procedures to ensure the exchange of information necessary for patient care.
A crisis unit has been set up to organize the operation of the three hospitals.
In coordination with the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes regional health agency, the Samu and the fire brigade, patients requiring emergency services at the Villefranche and Tarare sites are referred to other hospitals or clinics until further notice. order.
People coming to the emergency room on their own can, if necessary, be referred to other health establishments.
Surgical interventions scheduled for Tuesday postponed
The safety of patients currently cared for in Villefranche's continuous care and resuscitation service is ensured.
At this point, no transfer is scheduled.
The same goes for infants staying in the neonatal ward.
The maternity ward is able to accommodate future mothers, and births by caesarean section remain insured.
The anti-Covid vaccination campaign is also continuing.
On the other hand, all the surgeries scheduled for Tuesday are postponed.
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This computer attack comes shortly after the one which severely disrupted the Dax hospital center, the second hospital in the Landes.
At the end of 2019, it was the Rouen University Hospital that had been targeted.
According to a recent report by Anssi, hospitals and other entities in the health sector represent one of the prime targets of ransomware attackers.
An increased trend since 2020 with the pandemic which would push “hospitals more easily to pay the ransom given the critical need for business continuity”.
