University of Hawaii Cancer Center: Ransomware Attack

The University of Hawaii Cancer Center recently faced a cyber incident that led them to pay a ransom to recover encrypted patient data. The breach, which took place in August 2025, involved a research study from the 1990s and resulted in the theft of Social Security numbers from participants. The center reported to state authorities, revealing unauthorized access to their servers, allowing hackers to extract sensitive information.

While initially it seemed the stolen data was limited to research files, further investigation confirmed the inclusion of Social Security numbers. Back in the 1990s, Social Security numbers were used for participant identification, although this practice has since changed.

Addressing the Breach

To address this breach, the University of Hawaii Cancer Center is compiling contact information of affected individuals, intending to notify them and offer credit monitoring services. However, details on the exact number of impacted individuals remain unclear.

Since the incident, the center has bolstered its security measures by implementing endpoint protection solutions, resetting passwords, and redesigning their network infrastructure. They brought in external security experts to aid their response and conducted thorough assessments to strengthen their protocols, ensuring compromised accounts are addressed.

Related Topics:

• Healthcare Data Breach Insights
• Enhancing Cybersecurity in Healthcare
• Legislative Developments Affecting Patient Data Security

Jill Hughes has contributed to healthcare cybersecurity reporting since 2021, keeping readers informed about the latest developments.

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