Cyber attacks hit NY state casino operation, two Hudson Valley hospitals
$6,000 Welcome Bonus
New York state’s casino operation and two hospitals were hit with cyber attacks over the weekend, officials said.
The state Gaming Commission confirmed that its central operating system serving the state’s slot parlors was impacted by a cybersecurity attack — forcing the closure of Jake 58 casino in Islandia, Suffolk County, for several days.
“On Tuesday, October 17, 2023, Everi, the licensed operator of New York’s video lottery gaming central system, experienced a cybersecurity event that remains under investigation,” said Gaming Commission spokesman Brad Maione.
“The Commission has no indication that personal identifiable information was compromised. The Commission continues to monitor the situation.”
HealthAlliance Hospital and Margaretville Hospital in Hudson Valley were forced to divert patients elsewhere over the weekend following cybersecurity incidents. The cyber hack also impacted the Mountainside nursing home.
The two hospitals remained open during this diversion, and walk-in patients were treated and either released or stabilized, a statement put out by the Westchester Medical Center Health Network, which oversees the medical facilities.
Ambulance service was restored by 7 p.m. Saturday night,
“To address the threat and take the necessary steps to fully restore our secure network, on Friday, October 20, our IT experts shut down all connected IT systems at HealthAlliance Hospital, Margaretville Hospital and Mountainside Residential Care Center.
“We then began standing up our IT systems, a process that is ongoing, but we have regained all necessary capabilities to resume full operations.
Josh Ratner, chief strategy officer of WMCHealth said, “I want to applaud everyone at HealthAlliance Hospital, Margaretville Hospital and Mountainside Residential Care Center for all of their hard work and dedication while facing an incredibly difficult situation, helping us return to full operations sooner than expected while continuing to provide the best possible care for patients in our community.
“This helped demonstrate the strength of the entire WMCHealth Network, with hospitals, physicians, nurses and administrators from across the network playing a vital role in making sure our patients were cared for as we worked to regain full operations, resume admitting patients and minimize any impacts of this disruption.”
Last year, the One Brooklyn Health system that oversees Brookdale, Interfaith and Kingsbrook Jewish hospitals was hit with a cyber attack.
These “safety net” facilities serve the poorest and neediest patients in the city and receive tens of millions of dollars in subsidies from the state.
A patient in April subsequently filed a class-action negligence suit against One Brooklyn because medical records were exposed during the attack.
Other casino operators were temporarily impacted but did not have to close down for an extended period.
“We shut down for a brief period. It got cleared up fairly quickly. It was all the same issue,” said James Featherstonhaugh, part-owner of the Saratoga Casino.
“It got everyone’s attention,” he added.
