Ransomware attack slows OneBlood operations

OneBlood, a not-for-profit blood service that serves more than 250 hospitals in the Southeast, is dealing with a ransomware attack that is affecting its operations.

OneBlood said it was operating with manual systems and investigating whether donors’ personal information had been compromised.

“OneBlood takes the security of our network extremely seriously,” Susan Forbes, senior vice president of corporate communications, said in a news release. “Our team reacted quickly to assess our systems and began an investigation to confirm the full nature and scope of the event.  Our comprehensive response efforts are ongoing, and we are working diligently to restore full functionality to our systems as expeditiously as possible.”

OneBlood said it was working with cyber security specialists and federal, state and local officials to determine the scope of the attack. If anyone’s personal information was compromised, OneBlood will offer credit monitoring services, the organization said.

Ransomware events are a type of malicious software, or malware, that prevents a person or organization from accessing computer files or systems, according to the FBI. The attackers demand a ransom payment before allowing the victims to access systems or files again.

OneBlood said it continues to operate and can collect, test and distribute blood, but it is doing so at a slower rate than normal.

“We have implemented manual processes and procedures to remain operational,” Forbes said. “Manual processes take significantly longer to perform and impacts inventory availability. In an effort to further manage the blood supply, we have asked the more than 250 hospitals we serve to activate their critical blood shortage protocols and to remain in that status for the time being.”

Forbes said other blood centers from across the U.S. are helping to fill any blood donation gaps for hospitals.

A representative from Baptist Health said operations at its hospitals have not been affected. Representatives for UF Health Jacksonville, UF Health North and HCA Florida Memorial Hospital said they use a different blood service.

OneBlood is asking for people to still donate blood even as it deals with the ransomware attack. All blood types are needed, but there is an urgent need for O-positive, O-Negative and platelet donations.

To donate blood, you can make an appointment and find the nearest donation location at OneBlood.org .

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