Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma

Profile narrative

Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, also known as the Hospital of Parma, is a university hospital located in Parma, Italy. It provides a full range of medical services, including inpatient care, outpatient consultations, emergency treatment, and specialized diagnostics. The institution combines clinical practice with academic teaching, training medical students and healthcare professionals affiliated with the University of Parma. It also engages in biomedical research aimed at improving patient outcomes.

As part of Italy's National Health Service, the hospital serves the local population and surrounding communities. Its facilities include multiple clinical departments that cover medicine, surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics, and other specialties. The hospital operates under the oversight of regional health authorities and adheres to national healthcare regulations.

In February 2023, the hospital experienced a ransomware attack that compromised its information systems, beginning with a breach of Microsoft Exchange email servers attributed to Russian threat actors. The attackers moved laterally to infiltrate the Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS), exposing sensitive patient data such as clinical imaging and diagnostic reports. The incident disrupted critical healthcare operations, prompted notification to data protection authorities, and highlighted vulnerabilities in healthcare IT infrastructure.

The organisation is a public entity administered by the regional government of Emilia-Romagna, with no publicly indicated parent company or subsidiary structure. Its dual role as a care provider and academic institution distinguishes it from general hospitals within the Italian health system.

Incidents

1 incident linked to this organisation.