On Monday, the the Justice Department announced charges against six computer hackers - all from Russia - after being indicted by a grand jury in Pittsburgh.
Among the targets of their computer attacks was Heritage Valley Health System in western Pennsylvania in addition to elections in France, the PyongChang Winter Olympics and other entities throughout the world.
All six hackers were officers in a Russian military intelligence agency known as the GRU.
U.S. Attorney Scott Brady for the Western District of Pennsylvania describes the malware and hacking "the most destructive and costly cyber-attacks in history... committed by Russian government officials." The charges include conspiracy to conduct computer and wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.
Malware used by the hackers impaired the ability for Heritage Valley to provide critical medical services according to the Department of Justice. It affected two Heritage Valley hospitals, 60 offices and 18 satelite facilities.
As a result of the cyber attack, Heritage Valley lost access to "mission-critical" computer systems and patient records for about a week and administrative computers systems for nearly a month.
“For more than two years we have worked tirelessly to expose these Russian GRU Officers who engaged in a global campaign of hacking, disruption and destabilization, representing the most destructive and costly cyber-attacks in history,” said Brady. “The crimes committed by Russian government officials were against real victims who suffered real harm. We have an obligation to hold accountable those who commit crimes – no matter where they reside and no matter for whom they work – in order to seek justice on behalf of these victims.”
To view the indictment document, click here. TO view photos of the hackers, click here.