On September 1, 2024, Wertachkliniken’s Bobingen and Schwabmünchen clinics reported a severe cyberattack that caused widespread IT disruptions. The attack resulted in the encryption of virtual servers within the hospital information system, effectively blocking access to crucial data. The incident was discovered during the night, leading to an immediate response from the clinics’ IT department and the involvement of external cybersecurity experts. As a precaution, operations scheduled for Monday in Bobingen were canceled to ensure patient safety.
Martin Gösele, CEO of Wertachkliniken, emphasized that the hospital’s IT team is working tirelessly to resolve the issues and restore normal operations. “Our IT department is working hard to resolve the problems and is being supported by external experts,” Gösele stated. In addition to the technical response, a police report was filed to investigate the cyberattack further. The hospital has also informed patients, employees, and relevant authorities about the IT outages and the steps being taken to mitigate the impact.
Despite the disruption, the clinics have implemented limited analog operations to continue providing care to patients. Wertachkliniken is prioritizing patient safety and well-being during this challenging time. “The safety and well-being of our patients are our highest priority,” said Gösele. The hospital is focused on restoring the IT systems and regular processes as quickly as possible while maintaining clear communication with all stakeholders.
Gösele expressed gratitude to those affected by the incident, particularly patients and employees, for their understanding and support. “We would like to thank everyone affected—especially our patients and employees—for their understanding and support in this challenging situation and apologize for the inconvenience,” he added. The hospital has committed to keeping the public informed of further developments as they work to overcome the cyberattack and ensure the security of their systems in the future.
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