Hackers identified as ALPHV or BlackCat infiltrated Change Healthcare's IT environments within the UnitedHealth network for 9 days before executing a sophisticated ransomware attack on February 21, 2024. The breach, detailed by Andrew Witty, CEO of UnitedHealth Group, emphasized the cybercriminals' 9-day silent operation within the network, allowing them to bypass defenses and deploy ransomware, encrypting systems and causing severe disruptions. UnitedHealth Group's proactive response to sever connectivity with Change Healthcare prevented malware spread beyond and contained the attack
The attack, focused on Change Healthcare, significantly impacted UnitedHealth Group's operations, highlighting the need for enhanced cybersecurity measures in the healthcare sector amidst rising cyber threats. The investigation, in collaboration with the FBI, aims to trace the breach's origins and bolster cybersecurity protocols as cybercriminals increasingly target healthcare entities. https://cybersecuritynews.com/unitedhealth-network-ransomware-attack/