Tech service provider for nursing homes a ransomware victim
MILWAUKEE (AP) – A Milwaukee-based company that provides technology services to more than 100 nursing homes in the U.S. is the victim of a ransomware attack.
The Journal Sentinel reported Saturday that the cyberattack is holding data hostage and disrupting internet service until Virtual Care Provider Inc. pays $14 million, which the company has been unable to pay. Some nursing homes can’t access patient records, use the internet, pay employees or order medications.
Virtual Care Provider Inc. informed clients about the attack in a letter Nov. 18, saying that about 20% of its services had been affected and that it needs to rebuild 100 of its servers. The letter says it’s unknown if any client data was compromised.
The company said in a statement that they launched an internal investigation and are “working diligently to restore these systems as quickly and safely as possible.”