Brussels, Belgium – A healthcare retailer, Goed, and a part of the Belgian health insurance provider CM, was hit by a cyber attack resulting in stolen data. The breach has affected several of Goed’s stores and pharmacies, rendering Bancontact payments inaccessible at some locations.
Hackers infiltrated Goed’s systems overnight, stealing and encrypting data before the company took action to isolate the incident and prevent further breaches. Investigators are currently working to ascertain if patients’ personal information was compromised in the attack and whether the hackers are demanding a ransom. A team of internal and external experts is leading the ongoing investigation.
Goed operates pharmacies and home care stores in Flanders and Brussels, offering a range of health aid products to support patients in their homes. While the stores remain open, customers may face disruptions in payment methods, with some stores accepting only cash and others experiencing difficulty with digital prescription processing.
The impact of the cyber attack on Goed underscores the growing threat of cyber security breaches in the healthcare sector. As more healthcare retailers and providers digitize their operations, the need for robust cyber security measures becomes increasingly crucial to safeguard sensitive patient data and maintain operational continuity.
It is imperative for organizations like Goed to enhance their cyber security protocols and invest in advanced threat detection technologies to mitigate the risk of future cyber attacks. Collaborating with cyber security experts and implementing comprehensive training programs for employees can also help bolster defenses against evolving cyber threats in an increasingly digital healthcare landscape.
The incident serves as a reminder for healthcare organizations worldwide to prioritize cyber security and adopt proactive measures to protect against malicious cyber attacks. By staying vigilant, regularly updating security protocols, and fostering a culture of cyber security awareness, healthcare retailers like Goed can strengthen their defenses and safeguard patient confidentiality from potential cyber threats.