BianLian Group Strikes Texas Retina Associates with Ransomware Attack

Incident Date:

April 22, 2024

World map

Overview

Title

BianLian Group Strikes Texas Retina Associates with Ransomware Attack

Victim

Texas Retina Associates

Attacker

Bianlian

Location

Dallas, USA

Texas, USA

First Reported

April 22, 2024

Ransomware Attack on Texas Retina Associates by BianLian Group

Attack Overview

Texas Retina Associates, a prominent ophthalmology practice specializing in retina care, was recently targeted in a ransomware attack by the BianLian group. This attack marks a significant threat given the sensitive nature of the data handled by the healthcare provider.

Company Profile

Established in 1966 and headquartered in Dallas, Texas, Texas Retina Associates is the largest retina-focused ophthalmology practice in Texas. With 14 offices and 17 retina-fellowship-trained physicians, the organization is a leader in its field, known for extensive involvement in clinical trials and its affiliation with the Retina Foundation of the Southwest.

  • Annual Revenue: Approximately $37 million.
  • Employees: Around 125, with 91 listed on RocketReach.
  • Specialties: Treatment of conditions like macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and ocular oncology.

Cyberattack Details

The BianLian ransomware group, known for its sophisticated attacks primarily in North America and Europe, has claimed responsibility for this incident through their dark web leak site. While specific details of the ransom demand or data exfiltration have not been disclosed, the attack underscores the vulnerability of healthcare data to cyber threats.

Vulnerabilities and Target Attractiveness

Healthcare organizations like Texas Retina Associates are particularly vulnerable due to the wealth of sensitive personal health information they possess, which can include everything from medical histories to payment information. The integration of digital technologies in healthcare, while beneficial, also increases the potential attack surface for cybercriminals.

Sources

Recent Ransomware Attacks

The Recent Ransomware Attacks (RRA) site acts as a watchtower, providing you with near real-time ransomware tracking of attacks, groups and their victims. Given threat actors’ overarching, lucrative success so far, ransomware attacks have become the most ubiquitous, and financially and informationally impactful cyber threat to businesses and organizations today.

The site’s data is generated based on hosting choices of real-world threat actors, and a handful of other trackers. While sanitization efforts have been taken, we cannot guarantee 100% accuracy of the data. Attack updates will be made as source data is reported by reputable sources. By viewing, accessing, or using RRA you acknowledge you are doing so at your own risk.