Cyber Incident Victim: Klinikum Esslingen
Date:
Nov 2023
Location:
Germany
Summary
A cyberattack targeting Klinikum Esslingen's IT infrastructure involved unauthorized remote access by an unknown actor, causing deliberate damage to servers. The incident primarily disrupted radiology imaging systems and affected ultrasound and endoscopy imaging capabilities, while internal administrative data was deleted. Patient data within the hospital information system remained unaffected, and patient safety was not compromised. Hospital operations continued with significant delays due to the imaging system outages. Immediate containment measures included blocking access to relevant systems, engaging cybersecurity experts, activating a crisis team, and notifying law enforcement. Restoration efforts commenced promptly, with expectations of full operational recovery within 24 hours.
| CIA Posture | Motives | Tactics, Techniques & Procedures |
|---|---|---|
| Available to members | 1 motive | 1 technique |
| Threat Actors | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 0 actors | Available to members | Available to members |
Description
On November 28, 2023, at approximately 5:00 PM, Klinikum Esslingen detected a cyberattack targeting its IT infrastructure. An unidentified individual gained unauthorized remote access to hospital systems, deliberately damaging several servers. The attack primarily disrupted imaging systems in radiology departments and compromised ultrasound and endoscopy equipment. Administrative systems suffered internal data deletion, though patient records within the hospital information system (KIS) remained unaffected. Upon discovery, the hospital’s IT department initiated emergency protocols alongside cybersecurity experts to contain the intrusion and analyze its scope. Hospital management activated a crisis team and notified law enforcement authorities.
Immediate containment measures included blocking access to all compromised systems to prevent further spread. The hospital maintained clinical operations despite significant workflow disruptions caused by the imaging system outages. CEO Matthias Ziegler confirmed patient safety and care continuity were never compromised, attributing this to rapid response efforts. IT head Markus Wölfer reported system restoration had already commenced, with full operational recovery anticipated within 24 hours. Collaboration with external security specialists and police investigations continued throughout the incident. Ongoing delays in diagnostic imaging services persisted during recovery, though no additional data breaches or clinical risks were reported. The incident remained under active investigation by technical teams and authorities at the time of reporting.