Title: UMMC Clinic Locations Temporarily Closed Due to Ransomware Attack
The University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) has temporarily closed all its clinic locations statewide due to a ransomware attack. UMMC, one of the largest employers in Mississippi, operates seven hospitals, 35 clinics, and more than 200 telehealth sites across the state. The cyberattack disrupted many of its IT systems, including access to the Epic electronic medical records. While outpatient and ambulatory surgeries/procedures and imaging appointments were canceled, hospital services are still available through downtime procedures.
UMMC is currently investigating the incident with support from the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the FBI. The medical center's website was down at the time of publication, and all IT systems were shut down as a precautionary measure to assess the attack's impact. Hospital officials are in communication with the ransomware operators and are collaborating with authorities to determine the next steps.
During a press conference, UMMC officials assured that patient care is not affected by the cyberattack, as clinical equipment and operations remain functional. In-person classes for students are continuing as scheduled. While the ransomware group responsible for the attack has not been identified, negotiations are likely ongoing to pressure UMMC into paying an extortion demand. The possibility of data theft adds to the pressure on the hospital to comply with the attackers' demands.
As the situation unfolds, UMMC is taking necessary precautions to safeguard patient care and ensure the security of its systems. The medical center remains committed to addressing the cyberattack and restoring normal operations as soon as possible.