Peterborough and Halliburton counties report cyberattacks against software used by emergency workers – Peterborough

Officials in Peterborough and Halliburton counties say the cybersecurity attack targeted software used by emergency workers.

Both counties said they were notified by software developer ESO about a cybersecurity incident in software that captures patient data.

“This software is used by Ontario’s Peterborough County Municipal Paramedics and other emergency medical services,” Peterborough County said Thursday afternoon.

Both counties said their systems were voluntarily shut down as a precaution as ESO conducts forensic investigations.

Global News has contacted ESO for details of the incident.

ESO is a company that claims to be the largest software and data solutions provider for EMS agencies, fire departments, hospitals, and more.

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Peterborough County Ambulance Chief Randy Mellow said the system is important to many emergency workers, but it won’t affect their ability to respond to 911 emergency calls.

“Medical emergency calls to 911 and frontline services will not be directly affected,” he said.

Halliburton County has not been affected by 911 either, said Tim Waite, chief of Halliburton County Emergency Medical Services.

“To date, there is also no evidence that sensitive information has been compromised or that local IT systems are at risk,” the county said.

Until further notice, patients under the care of the Haliburton County Community Paramedicine Program are asked to confirm or book an appointment by calling 1-833-809-0440 or emailing communityparamedic@haliburtoncounty.ca .

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