AZ Herentals

AZ Herentals is a general hospital located in Belgium, providing healthcare services to the population of Herentals and surrounding areas. As a medical institution, it delivers care to patients requiring medical attention. The hospital operates within the Belgian healthcare system, adhering to national standards for patient safety and quality of care. Its primary mission is to offer medical treatment and support to individuals in need of clinical services. The organization maintains facilities that support various medical functions necessary for patient care. AZ Herentals also participates in routine healthcare activities aimed at promoting health and well‑being.

In April 2022, AZ Herentals experienced a cyber incident involving unauthorized access to internal documents, while hospital operations and electronic patient records remained unaffected. The organization promptly engaged external cybersecurity experts to investigate the breach and to close the vulnerability. It notified the Belgian Data Protection Authority and the federal police cyber unit in accordance with legal obligations. AZ Herentals committed to informing any potentially affected patients as soon as possible and established a dedicated contact channel through its Data Protection Officer for patient inquiries. The incident highlighted the hospital’s focus on data protection and its readiness to respond to security threats. These actions demonstrate the institution’s commitment to safeguarding information and maintaining trust with the community it serves.