Florida Department of Health responds to cybersecurity hack

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The Florida Department of Health has responded to a cybersecurity hack.

The department said this is one of multiple attacks by criminal hacking organizations against several states.

Anyone affected will be notified.

Deputy Communications Director Jae Williams said all criminal activity will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating.

Williams sent WINK News a statement that reads:

The Florida Department of Health (Department) is working diligently with law enforcement and all relevant stakeholders in responding to one of multiple attacks perpetrated by criminal hacking organizations against several states in a nationwide and worldwide trend of cybersecurity attacks targeting healthcare organizations. The majority of Department systems and services remain operational with no disruptions. In an effort to protect the private data of Floridians, certain systems were proactively brought offline to strengthen security measures and bolster monitoring. The Department remains engaged in protecting data as the scope and extent of this attack is fully understood.

Any affected parties will be notified as a comprehensive assessment of the situation is completed. We encourage all FDOH healthcare providers to stay attentive to alerts from the Department and follow those best practices disseminated to secure data.

This incident has also been referred to FDLE for investigation, and criminal activity will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

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