BianLian ransomware group claims cyber attack on Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida

The infamous BianLian ransomware group has claimed responsibility for infiltrating the network of Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida and stealing as much as 1.8 terabytes of data records.

 

Founded in 1996, Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida has a network of over 45 providers located in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Estero, and Lehigh Acres. It specialises in internal medicine, family practice, and pediatrics.

 

In a data security incident notice posted on its website, the healthcare firm said that on September 17, it identified unauthorised access to its information technology network. It immediately launched an investigation, with assistance from external cyber security experts, to determine the nature and scope of the incident.

 

PCSF also deployed 24/7 monitoring software throughout its internal network to contain the event and remove any security threats, and notified relevant law enforcement authorities about the cyber security incident.

 

“Our investigation determined that the unauthorised access likely began on or about September 15, 2024. It was also determined that there was potential access and/or acquisition of certain information during the incident,” reads the notice.

 

The compromised data included names and other personal identifiers including social security numbers and driver’s license numbers.

 

While PPCSF found no evidence of the compromised information being misused, it has advised all affected individuals to regularly monitor their credit reports, account and benefit statements and report any suspicious activity to law enforcement authorities, including the police and state attorney general.

 

It has also offered complimentary identity protection and credit monitoring services to individuals whose social security number or driver’s license number was compromised during the incident.

 

Recently, the BianLian ransomware group claimed responsibility for the cyber attack on PPCSF and listed it as a victim on its data leak site. The group claims to be in possession of 1.8 TB of the data stolen from the healthcare provider.