Liberty Hospital Working Through Cyber Disruption

Liberty Hospital announced on Tuesday, December 19, that it was a victim of a computer disruption. The disruption caused the hospital to encourage people to go to other hospitals and emergency rooms for treatment and even transferred current patients to other hospitals.

Although Liberty Hospital public information officials have not confirmed or denied being a victim of a ransomware or cyber security attack, a Kansas City news source have obtained a blackmail message and a hacker has publicly taken credit for the attack.

According to KMBC in Kansas City, Liberty Hospital received a message stating, “We have hacked you and downloaded all confidential data of your company. And it can be spread out to people and media. Your reputation will be ruined. Do not hesitate and save your business. We’re the ones who can quickly recover your systems. Starting from now, you have 72 hours to contact us.”

KMBC also reports that an organization called “INC Ransom” took credit for the hospital’s computer system crash and gave the hospital 72 hours to respond.

It is not known whether Liberty Hospital has responded to the hackers, but it did announce that the hospital is functioning again.

 “As of 5 p.m. today the emergency department at Liberty Hospital is open to ambulances. It has remained open to walk-in patients,” states a hospital announcement. “Phone systems at our clinics also are fully operational. Patient safety and care are our utmost priorities as we work to progressively bring online more systems and capabilities as part of recovery efforts from the computer systems disruption.”

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story