Three in four Belgian hospitals lack strong cyber security
Three out of four Belgian hospitals do not yet have adequate cyber security, according to the federal health service. The warning follows a recent cyber attack on AZ Monica hospital in Antwerp.
Smaller hospitals and psychiatric institutions are most at risk. Only 15% of Belgian hospitals meet the required standards for digital identification and access control. Hospitals in Flanders and university hospitals generally perform better. Authorities say cyber attacks are increasingly used as a tool in the current geopolitical climate, making the health sector a key target.
Despite the concerns, the health service sees gradual improvement. The federal government invests €15 million each year in hospital cyber security. Support organisation SHIELD will continue to guide hospitals, with individual action plans covering the next three years.
Meanwhile, AZ Monica said its computer servers will not be back online by Wednesday. All surgical procedures have been postponed.
The cyber attack, discovered early Tuesday, led the hospital to shut down servers at its Antwerp and Deurne campuses as a precaution. It is still unclear whether patient data was accessed. Seven patients were transferred to other hospitals.
About 30% of planned care can safely go ahead on Wednesday. Some consultations and day clinics will remain open. Patients are being contacted directly. The hospital’s website is still offline, and prosecutors confirmed no ransom has been demanded.
#FlandersNewsService | Illustration photo © BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM