Privacy of nearly 58,500 people breached in 2021 cyberattack on N.L. health care
![Cyberattack THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2022/12/8/cyberattack-1-6186884-1670536644102.jpg)
More than 58,000 people in Newfoundland and Labrador had their private data exposed by the hackers behind a cyberattack on the province's health-care system last year.
Eastern Health, the province's largest health authority, said today that a review of a network drive accessed by the hackers is now complete, and it found that data belonging to about 58,200 patients was breached.
A statement from the health authority says another 280 staff or former staff members were also affected by the cyberattack, which was discovered on Oct. 30, 2021.
Eastern Health says the hackers accessed social insurance numbers belonging to fewer than 20 patients and banking information belonging to fewer than five patients.
Meanwhile, the office of the provincial information and privacy commissioner says its investigation into the attack won't be completed until March of 2023.
The commissioner previously said he expected to complete a report by October, but spokesman Sean Murray said in an email Wednesday that the office is now seeking help from a technical consultant.
The cyberattack knocked out information technology systems in the province's largest health authority, forcing officials to cancel thousands of appointments, including cancer care.
The Newfoundland and Labrador government has been tight-lipped about the cyberattack, refusing to say what type of attack occurred and what its motive was, or whether ransom was demanded. However, several cybersecurity experts have said the incident has all the markings of a ransomware attack, in which hackers encrypt or steal data to hold it hostage until a ransom is paid.
Government officials have defended their silence by noting that several investigations into the attack are underway, including the information and privacy commissioner's probe.
Murray says the technical consultant will ensure any findings related to technological aspects of the attack will be correct.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 8, 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6962275.1720822968!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Alec Baldwin weeps in court when judge announces involuntary manslaughter case dismissed mid-trial
A New Mexico judge on Friday brought a sudden and stunning end to the involuntary manslaughter case against Alec Baldwin, dismissing it in the middle of the actor's trial and saying it cannot be filed again.
'He was loved': Family members devastated by death of Toronto man allegedly swarmed by teens
Family members of a homeless Toronto man who died after police allege he was swarmed and stabbed by a group of teen girls say the thought of his last moments haunts them.
'I told you it wasn't a dream': Ontario couple retires after winning $55-million Lotto Max jackpot
When the $55-million Lotto Max jackpot they won was finally deposited in their bank account, Laurene Shail and Doltan Hawk couldn't help but be overcome by emotions and hug each other.
Video released of wild police car chase involving white Lamborghini north of Toronto
Police north of Toronto have released dramatic video of a car chase that led officers across York Region in pursuit of a Lamborghini SUV that was clocked at speeds in excess of 200 km/h.
A B.C. man owes $27,000 in COVID benefit repayments. He's fighting back and is not the only one
A Vancouver man is fighting back against the Canada Revenue Agency's (CRA) claims that he wasn't eligible to receive COVID benefits during the pandemic and owes the government more than $27,000.
Calgary man wanted on Canada-wide warrant for murder
Calgary police have released the photo of a man wanted on a Canada-wide warrant for first-degree murder.
What a geriatric doctor wishes you knew now for healthy aging
Longevity isn’t just about living a long life but also about living well. More than one in five Americans will be 65 or older by 2040, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services projects.
Girl, 12, kicked out of Quebec karate class for wearing hijab: human rights commission
The Quebec Human Rights Commission is seeking $13,000 for the family of a 12-year-old girl who was kicked out of her karate class for wearing a hijab.
2 bodies of people believed to be from B.C. wash ashore Sable Island, N.S.
Nova Scotia RCMP say a boat containing the bodies of two people believed to be from British Columbia washed ashore the Sable Island National Park Reserve earlier this week.