FBI Joins Response to Cyberattack at University of Mississippi Medical Center

Specialized FBI teams are on-site as the organization works to recover from the attack that disrupted IT systems and the Epic EHR.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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The University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson is responding to a cyberattack that began on February 19th, with the FBI joining the effort. The attack has taken down the organization's IT systems, including its Epic EHR, and disrupted phone systems and email capabilities. The medical center says it is still assessing the extent of the infiltration and how long it will take to return to regular operations, but its hospitals and emergency departments continue to provide care.

Why it matters

Cyberattacks on healthcare organizations can have serious consequences, disrupting critical patient care and operations. The involvement of the FBI indicates the severity of the incident and the need for specialized expertise to help the medical center recover and secure its systems.

The details

The University of Mississippi Medical Center reported that the cyberattack has forced the closure of its clinic locations on February 19th and 20th. An off-site vendor is currently handling patient communications about clinic closures and other updates while the EHR system remains down. The medical center says it has begun alerting other hospitals that it can again receive transfers of patients needing a higher level of care.

  • The cyberattack began on February 19, 2026.
  • The medical center's clinics were closed on February 19 and 20, 2026.

The players

University of Mississippi Medical Center

A healthcare organization in Jackson, Mississippi that was the target of a cyberattack.

FBI

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, which has joined the response effort to the cyberattack.

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What they’re saying

“At this time, it is still unknown the extent of the infiltration or how long it will take to return to regular operations.”

— University of Mississippi Medical Center (Facebook)

What’s next

The medical center says it is continuing to work with federal authorities to assess the full impact of the cyberattack and restore its IT systems and operations.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the growing threat of cyberattacks on healthcare organizations, which can have serious consequences for patient care and operations. The involvement of the FBI underscores the need for robust cybersecurity measures and incident response planning in the medical sector.