HHS cyberattack highlights how hackers are exploiting the pandemic. Here are 4 strategies to mitiga…

Hackers tried to breach the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) computer system Sunday night, both Bloomberg and ABC News reported. HHS Spokesperson Caitlin Oakley told FierceHealthcare the department became aware of a significant increase in activity on HHS cyberinfrastructure on Sunday.

The department is “fully operational” as it actively investigates the matter, Oakley said. HHS officials said there was no data breach.

“Early on while preparing and responding to COVID-19, HHS put extra protections in place. We are coordinating with federal law enforcement and remain vigilant and focused on ensuring the integrity of our IT infrastructure,” Oakley said.

An Illinois public health department’s website was hacked by ransomware last week. The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District serves about 200,000 people in central Illinois, and the website provides updated information about the coronavirus outbreak.

“The timing is horrible,” Administrator Julie Pryde told The News-Gazette.

The public health department immediately notified the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security and is working with a consulting firm to investigate what happened and restore the website, The News-Gazette reported.