Ransomware attack hits NorthBay Vaca Valley hospital
(File photo by Matthew Keys for Solano NewsNet)
A cybersecurity incident is impacting health care appointments at a hospital in Vacaville.
This week, computer systems at NorthBay Health’s Vaca Valley Hospital were hit with a ransomware attack that locked servers and computers used by hospital staff, according to a source familiar with the incident.
A ransomware attack is a type of cybersecurity incident in which a computer system is locked down by hackers who threaten to take an adverse action unless the victim sends a payment, usually via a cryptocurrency.
In some cases, hackers threaten to leak the personal information of customers and patients that are located on infected computer systems, while other ransomware attacks involve threats to delete files and sabotage computer networks.
“We are working diligently to restore systems as quickly and as safely as possible,” a spokesperson for NorthBay Health said in a statement. “In the meantime, we are continuing to safely care for our patients using established downtime procedures, in which our physicians and staff are well-trained.”
The MyNorthBayDoc phone and tablet apps are currently offline, as is the primary NorthBay Health website. A temporary website has been established that offers patients information, including a directory of primary care providers.
NorthBay Health says certain critical and high-level medical treatment options, including urgent care and emergency services, are still operational. The hospital’s Labor and Delivery department is also open, as are most primary care medical offices.
Some elective medical treatments and surgeries are being rescheduled due to the incident, with the hospital working to notify and reschedule those affected patients.
NorthBay Health is also offering the following general information phone numbers for current and prospective patients:
Primary Care - 707-646-5500
Fairfield Urgent Care - 707-646-4000
Vacaville Urgent Care - 707-624-7400
NorthBay Health Medical Center - 707-646-5000
NorthBay Health Vaca Valley Hospital - 707-624-7000
Vaca Valley Surgery Center - 707-624-8200