Akumin Operating Corp.

Akumin Operating Corp., a healthcare services company based in Plantation, Florida, experienced a significant data breach as a result of a ransomware attack that was first noticed on October 11, 2023. The breach led to unauthorized access to sensitive consumer information, including names, contact details, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, state identification numbers, health insurance policy numbers, patient identification numbers, and medical information[1].

The company, which provides radiology and oncology services to hospitals and operates a network of imaging locations across 47 states, began sending out data breach notification letters to affected individuals on December 29, 2023. These letters aimed to inform victims about the compromised information and advise them on how to protect themselves from potential fraud or identity theft[1].

The ransomware attack not only compromised patient data but also disrupted Akumin’s operations, forcing the company to temporarily shut down its systems and postpone most of its clinical and diagnostic operations. This left patients unable to get scans and doctors unable to access images for diagnosis[3][5][7][8][9][11][14].

In addition to the cyberattack, Akumin was facing financial difficulties and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The company was also notified that it would be delisted from NASDAQ due to non-compliance with the Bid Price Requirement and the Equity Standard[3][9][14].

Akumin took immediate action to secure its networks, including shutting down systems, launching an investigation, working with cybersecurity advisors, and notifying law enforcement. The company has been working on restoring operations, with oncology services resuming and some patients being treated again. However, access to certain imaging results from previous years may still be unavailable[8][9][14].

The company’s investigation into the incident is ongoing, and it is working with business partners and third-party specialists to safely resume business activities. Akumin has committed to providing high-quality services to its patients and health partners and will provide additional updates as they become available[8][9][14].

Citations:

1. https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/akumin-confirms-data-breach-impacting-4063971/
2. https://www.globenewswire.com
3. https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2023/10/24/patients-desperate-for-imaging-services-worried-about-health-information-after-akumin-shuts-down-due-to-ransomware-attack/
4. https://www.hsabank.com/hsabank/homepage
5. https://www.wptv.com/news/local-news/investigations/medical-provider-turning-away-patients-after-apparent-cyberattack
6. https://www.skunktrain.com
7. https://health.wusf.usf.edu/health-news-florida/2023-10-26/ransomware-attack-shuts-down-imaging-center-with-dozens-of-florida-locations
8. https://axisimagingnews.com/imaging-news/facility-news/akumin-hit-by-ransomware-attack-disrupting-radiology-and-oncology-services
9. https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/local/akumin-imaging-files-for-bankruptcy-ransomware-incident/77-4b8966ce-e67c-4bcc-be64-d7a35e7baef4
10. https://www.ey.com/en_gl/value-realized-annual-report
11. https://radiologybusiness.com/topics/health-it/enterprise-imaging/imaging-informatics/radiology-provider-akumin-postpones-most-clinical-and-diagnostic-operations-amid-ransomware-attack
12. https://pe-insights.com/news/2023/10/23/stonepeaks-600m-deal-with-akumin/
13. https://www.mass.gov/doc/assigned-data-breach-number-31242-akumin-operating-corp/download
14. https://www.databreaches.net/in-the-throes-of-bankruptcy-and-hit-by-a-ransomware-attack-akumin-still-unable-to-provide-many-diagnostic-services-to-patients/