In 2023, the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle became a target of a cyberattack by the notorious Hunters International ransomware group. The group claimed to have stolen 533 GB of data from the center and listed it on its leak site. They also resorted to extorting individual patients, demanding payments to withhold their sensitive information. This information includes medical records, Social Security numbers, and other personal data.

The center responded by notifying federal law enforcement and issuing a statement on December 11, confirming their awareness of the unauthorized activity. Despite the cyberattack, the center’s clinics remained operational, prioritizing patient and employee safety and privacy. They have been working with a forensic team to assess the data breach and promised to update those affected.

This incident is part of a troubling trend in 2023, where healthcare facilities have increasingly become targets of ransomware attacks. Other notable incidents include an attack on Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children by the LockBit gang and another ransomware group targeting a Pennsylvania healthcare network. These attacks have led to the cancellation of medical appointments and the leakage of millions of patients’ data online.

Additionally, Delta Dental of California also reported a significant breach affecting nearly 7 million patients, involving a wide array of personal and health information. This underscores the growing threat of cyberattacks on healthcare organizations and the need for enhanced cybersecurity measures in the sector.