Disruption of Library Services Due to Hospital Cyberattack: A Case Study

Med Ref Serv Q. 2022 Apr-Jun;41(2):204-212. doi: 10.1080/02763869.2022.2054198.

Abstract

Cyberattacks on healthcare organizations increased dramatically in 2020 and 2021. The University of Vermont Medical Center suffered an attack in October 2020, during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The disruption to hospital computer systems had wide-ranging impacts, including loss of online access to the medical library for nearly three months. Library staff worked to reduce impacts and increase access for hospital employees until full access was restored. This case study offers lessons learned and resources for health sciences libraries planning for a potential cyberattack.

Keywords: Cyberattack; cybersecurity; healthcare; hospital; library; ransomware.

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19*
  • Hospitals
  • Humans
  • Libraries, Medical*
  • Library Services*
  • Pandemics