On January 27, 2025, Frederick Health, a healthcare system based in Maryland, revealed that it had fallen victim to a ransomware attack. This incident led to significant disruptions in its operations, including the temporary shutdown of its IT systems. In response, Frederick Health took immediate action, including taking systems offline to contain the attack and working with third-party cybersecurity experts to investigate the situation. As of the announcement, Frederick Health Medical Group remained operational, although certain services were delayed due to the lack of access to IT systems.
While the investigation is ongoing, it remains unclear whether any patient or employee data was compromised. Frederick Health has stated that if the investigation uncovers a breach of personal or confidential information, it will notify those affected in accordance with federal regulations. These breach notification letters will provide details on the type of information compromised and offer steps to mitigate potential identity theft or fraud risks.
The investigation’s results will determine if additional measures are necessary to protect affected individuals.
Frederick Health is a major healthcare provider in Frederick County, Maryland, offering a range of services such as primary and specialty care, surgical care, emergency services, and rehabilitation. The organization operates multiple facilities, including Frederick Health Hospital and outpatient clinics, and employs around 3,300 people. With an estimated annual revenue of $478 million, it is an important service provider in the region. Despite the recent disruption caused by the ransomware attack, the healthcare system continues to prioritize patient care and is working diligently to restore its systems.
As of now, Frederick Health’s ongoing investigation is focused on determining the scope of the ransomware attack and whether any sensitive patient data was accessed or stolen. The healthcare organization is actively working to bring its systems back online securely while continuing to serve patients using backup systems. While it’s too early to ascertain the full impact of the breach, the organization remains committed to transparency and will provide further updates as more information becomes available.
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