Hackers were able to access Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center's computer network in early February and is holding the data ransom, according to a Washington Post article.
The hospital plans to pay the hackers $17,000 in bitcoins to retrieve the stolen information. Here are five key notes on the case:
1. The hospital's IT department identified an issue on Feb. 5 and found malware locked access to specific computer systems that won't allow the hospital to share communications electronically.
2. While the malware was in effect, the hospital reverted to paper records which meant slower patient processing.
3. The hackers cleared the malware after Hollywood Presbyterian paid 40 bitcoins — the equivalent of $17,000. The hospital includes 434 beds and 500 doctors, and has $209 million annual revenue.
4. Patient care wasn't compromised in the hack and there currently isn't evidence that patient or employee information was accessed by unauthorized people.
5. The FBI is currently investigating the cyber attack on Hollywood Presbyterian.