Hack on Florida's Vital Statistics is just the latest cyberattack on health-related systems
health.wusf.usf.edu
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Contributed by: Drex DeFord
Summary
The Florida Department of Health is facing system outages affecting the distribution of birth and death certificates following an alleged ransomware attack, in which hackers claimed to have stolen 100GB of personal data. Although the department has not confirmed the cyberattack, it has acknowledged temporary disruptions in its Vital Statistics system. This has delayed funerals and caused financial issues for individuals awaiting death certificates for legal and financial processes. Health officials are collaborating with law enforcement, funeral homes, and healthcare facilities to continue operations manually during the outage. The attack highlights the increasing vulnerability of healthcare systems to cyber threats, with significant risks posed by the exposure of sensitive patient data. Residents are advised to monitor their financial and credit records for unusual activity as a precaution.
