Sensitive Ungava Tulattavik Health Center information compromised; investigation ongoing
Ungava Tulattavik Health Center was a victim of a cyberattack in November. An investigation into the incident is ongoing but files containing information related to some users and employees may have been stolen. (File photo by Cedric Gallant)
Dominique Gené – Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Ungava Tulattavik Health Center in Kuujjuaq was targeted by a cyberattack last month.
Officials made the announcement Wednesday in a news release, adding the attack was blocked upon detection.
Files containing clinical and administrative information related to some people who use the health centre, and its employees, may have been stolen.
“This cyberattack is a serious event that has resulted in the compromise of sensitive data,” said Larry Watt, the centre’s executive director, in the release.
“All necessary measures are being taken to secure the systems, support the investigation and support those affected.”
The release does not specify when exactly the attack occurred or how long the system was compromised before detection. An interview request with Watt was declined.
In response, the centre has established a crisis unit and put in place enhanced surveillance tools to increase security.
Officers with the Surêté du Quebec, the provincial police force, are investigating the attack.
The Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services, along with Santé Québec’s Cyber Defence Operational Centre, which works under the province’s cybersecurity ministry, are also supporting the investigation, the release said.
The centre has notified financial institutions and the mayors of Nunavik communities.
As the police investigation continues, health centre officials urge users and employees to monitor their bank accounts for suspicious activity, watch out for suspicious emails or calls and take extra care to protect sensitive information.