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Computer & phones allegedly hacked @ Dr D. Orlando Smith Hospital

- BVIHSA CEO Ronald E. Georges says phones system fixed; IT Dept working to resolve other issues
Information coming into Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) was that the computer systems at the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital and by extension, the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) were hacked which resulted in the hospital suffering from some system downtime and interruptions in its delivery of service to the general public. Photo: VINO/File
Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) reached out to CEO of the BVIHSA, Mr Ronald E. Georges who confirmed that there were technological issues at the authority, however, he did not say if the issue came as a result of 'computer hacking.' Photo: VINO/File
Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) reached out to CEO of the BVIHSA, Mr Ronald E. Georges who confirmed that there were technological issues at the authority, however, he did not say if the issue came as a result of 'computer hacking.' Photo: VINO/File
Touching on the alleged hacking on yesterday's January 14, 2020, 'Honestly Speaking' radio show, Commissioner of Police, Mr Micheal B. Matthews said while he was not aware of the issue, he is not surprised that it could happen. Photo: Facebook
Touching on the alleged hacking on yesterday's January 14, 2020, 'Honestly Speaking' radio show, Commissioner of Police, Mr Micheal B. Matthews said while he was not aware of the issue, he is not surprised that it could happen. Photo: Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Information coming into Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) is that the computer systems at the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital and by extension, the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) were hacked which resulted in the hospital suffering from some system downtime and interruptions in its delivery of service to the general public.

According to sources, the alleged hacking happened on Tuesday, January 14, 2020, and resulted in the phone lines at the BVIHSA going down for a period of time, however, it is unclear what time the system downtime happened and what was the scale of the outage.

'Systems were Down' - Dr. Ronald E. Georges 

Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) reached out to CEO of the BVIHSA, Mr Ronald E. Georges who confirmed that there were technological issues at the authority, however, he did not say if the issue came as a result of 'computer hacking.' 

"There was a system issue that the IT Department is working to resolve. The phone system has already been restored [and] we are working diligently to restore the remaining systems," Dr Georges told VINO. 

He did not say if any type of data theft occurred during the downtime. Private medical records remain some of the most valuable types of data targeted by cybercriminals. 

Not surprised @ Hacking allegation - CoP Matthews 

Touching on the alleged hacking on the January 14, 2020, 'Honestly Speaking' radio show, Commissioner of Police, Mr Michael B. Matthews said while he was not aware of the issue, he is not surprised that it could happen. 

"It doesn't entirely surprise me though... because we have had individual people come to us in the Territory and some high profile people complained about their own email systems being hacked," CoP Matthews said. 

Mr Matthews further said that in relation to cybersecurity, a team will be in the VI to 'scope out' the capabilities of the RVIPF in relation to their current capabilities and what technical skills, training and equipment is needed to fight cybercrimes. 

15 Responses to “Computer & phones allegedly hacked @ Dr D. Orlando Smith Hospital”

  • asking for a friend (16/01/2020, 10:07) Like (2) Dislike (15) Reply
    so do we know who all have sexually transmitted issues and who end up in hospital after libo surgery in Santo?
    • tretretrete (16/01/2020, 11:55) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
      Thunder fire you!!!! Of all the illnesses and diseases out there why you only want to who have a sexually transmitted disease? Protect yourself and you won't get caught!!!
      Malicious vipers!!! The likes of you would destroy people 's lives through evil gossip. Most times nosy, metae people have the worse lives but they always concerned about other people business and have the most to say.
    • Worker (17/01/2020, 09:03) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      The workers there would tell you that without any phone line or computer having to be hacked!
  • it (16/01/2020, 10:51) Like (13) Dislike (3) Reply
    When you say "hacked" do you really mean a ransomware attack? Who are you guys giving your firewall access to? If you gave someone the access they really didn't hack it. Sip phones just need to be reset so I can see that being up quickly. In USA there is HIPAA compliance regulations on sensitive data like that, to protect people's medical info. Do we have that here?
    I would suggest Phishing email training and all that but considering that you guys chose not to hire me, you probably don't want or need my input.
  • lol (16/01/2020, 11:55) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
    The Iranians are here
  • ...smh (16/01/2020, 12:51) Like (11) Dislike (4) Reply
    they need to replace the guy in charge of the computer department, cmon
    • Yup (16/01/2020, 15:47) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
      Probably the mercenaries in resident on the 7th floor. They have plenty to gain from that access.
    • Fabi (17/01/2020, 10:35) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      That is probably what the culprit wants, but that guy knows his onions, but probably needs to examine his team well. Hmmmmm
    • GG (20/01/2020, 16:36) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      ...the hate is powerful with some people. You were removed from the team, just go why continue to try and smear his character. You all tried before and FAILED! Just move on!
  • state of emergency (16/01/2020, 15:09) Like (3) Dislike (4) Reply
    No its Trump and the Ukrainians
  • Just saying (16/01/2020, 19:23) Like (1) Dislike (6) Reply
    So why is dr George’s dancing around the issue? where is the minister? Too busy picking up old cars??
  • hm (17/01/2020, 07:39) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    No leadership
  • that is why (17/01/2020, 09:45) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    I go overseas for medical services or the Private hospital. Overseas and the private hospital on the Island your records is protected like the gold in Fort Knox.


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