Ransomware attack on ChipSoft knocks EHR services offline across hospitals in the Netherlands and Belgium


Ransomware attack on ChipSoft knocks EHR services offline across hospitals in the Netherlands and Belgium

Pierluigi Paganini
April 10, 2026

Dutch healthcare IT firm ChipSoft suffered a ransomware attack, forcing services and its HiX platform offline, impacting hospitals and patients.

ChipSoft, a major Dutch provider of EHR systems, was hit by a ransomware attack that forced it to take its website and digital services offline, disrupting access for hospitals, healthcare providers, and patients.

EHR (Electronic Health Record) is a digital version of a patient’s medical history, stored and managed by healthcare providers.

The company’s flagship HiX platform, widely used across the Netherlands, was impacted, with users reporting outages earlier this week.

The ransomware attack occurred on April 7, and the Dutch CERT Z-CERT has been coordinating closely with the vendor and healthcare institutions. As a precaution, access to key services like Zorgportaal, HiX Mobile, and Zorgplatform was disabled, with systems now being gradually restored and new credentials issued to users.

Hospitals have mainly faced logistical disruptions, such as increased calls and added support staff, according to the Dutch CERT, no critical care services have been halted. Z-CERT continues to assist by providing guidance, monitoring the situation, and helping organizations detect, respond to, and recover from the incident while minimizing its overall impact.

“As previously reported, software vendor ChipSoft was hit by a ransomware attack on Tuesday, April 7. Since then, Z‑CERT has been in constant contact with ChipSoft, healthcare institutions, and other involved parties to monitor the situation and provide appropriate support.” reports the Dutch Z‑CERT.

“ChipSoft maintains direct contact with users of the software and provides them with a course of action. In their communication, ChipSoft indicates that all connections to the Zorgportaal, HiX Mobile, and the Zorgplatform have been disabled as a precaution and are currently unavailable. ChipSoft has started bringing the systems back online in phases, during which users are receiving new login credentials. Z‑CERT continues to closely monitor these developments and will inform participants as soon as there is reason to do so.

Local media [1, 2] confirmed the cyberattack, citing an internal memo warning of possible unauthorized access. The company told healthcare providers it is working to limit the impact and advised them to disconnect from its systems until remediation and cleanup activities are fully completed.

ChipSoft
Source l1nieuws website

Hospitals in Roermond and Weert closed patient portals after the ransomware attack on ChipSoft, blocking access to records and appointments. Care continues, but staff assist patients due to system outages. Other hospitals report limited or no impact, with systems monitored.

“Most hospitals have not taken their patient portals offline. Eleven hospitals have done so, according to a survey by the NOS. At least nine of these are hospitals that have linked their patient records to ChipSoft’s systems to a greater extent than most other hospitals.” reported the Dutch media NOS.

Patient portals at several Belgian hospitals also went offline after the cyberattack on ChipSoft. The disruption affected multiple facilities, highlighting the cross-border impact of attacks on shared healthcare IT providers.

“Online patient portals at several Belgian hospitals went offline following a cyberattack targeting a Dutch software provider, daily Le Soir reported Friday. The disruption affects patient portals at Hospital aan de Stroom in Antwerp, Hospital Oost-Limburg, and Delta Hospital in Roeselare.”

“The incident is linked to a cyberattack on Netherlands-based software company ChipSoft, which supplies electronic patient record systems and healthcare platforms.” reported the Belgian website AA.

Cyberattacks targeting healthcare IT providers are especially dangerous and attractive to threat actors because these companies act as centralized hubs serving many hospitals and clinics at once. By compromising a single provider, attackers can potentially access or disrupt multiple organizations simultaneously, amplifying the impact. These systems store and process vast amounts of highly sensitive data, such as medical records, personal information, and billing details, which can be exploited for extortion, fraud, or resale.

In addition, healthcare operations depend heavily on the availability of these platforms. Any disruption can affect patient care, creating urgency for rapid recovery. This pressure often makes victims more likely to pay ransoms, increasing the financial incentive for attackers.

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Pierluigi Paganini

(SecurityAffairs – hacking, healthcare)







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Google Maps has a long list of hidden (and sometimes, just underrated) features that help you navigate seamlessly. But I was not a big fan of using Google Maps for walking: that is, until I started using the right set of features that helped me navigate better.

Add layers to your map

See more information on the screen

Layers are an incredibly useful yet underrated feature that can be utilized for all modes of transport. These help add more details to your map beyond the default view, so you can plan your journey better.

To use layers, open your Google Maps app (Android, iPhone). Tap the layer icon on the upper right side (under your profile picture and nearby attractions options). You can switch your map type from default to satellite or terrain, and overlay your map with details, such as traffic, transit, biking, street view (perfect for walking), and 3D (Android)/raised buildings (iPhone) (for buildings). To turn off map details, go back to Layers and tap again on the details you want to disable.

In particular, adding a street view and 3D/raised buildings layer can help you gauge the terrain and get more information about the landscape, so you can avoid tricky paths and discover shortcuts.

Set up Live View

Just hold up your phone

A feature that can help you set out on walks with good navigation is Google Maps’ Live View. This lets you use augmented reality (AR) technology to see real-time navigation: beyond the directions you see on your map, you are able to see directions in your live view through your camera, overlaying instructions with your real view. This feature is very useful for travel and new areas, since it gives you navigational insights for walking that go beyond a 2D map.

To use Live View, search for a location on Google Maps, then tap “Directions.” Once the route appears, tap “Walk,” then tap “Live View” in the navigation options. You will be prompted to point your camera at things like buildings, stores, and signs around you, so Google Maps can analyze your surroundings and give you accurate directions.

Download maps offline

Google Maps without an internet connection

Whether you’re on a hiking trip in a low-connectivity area or want offline maps for your favorite walking destinations, having specific map routes downloaded can be a great help. Google Maps lets you download maps to your device while you’re connected to Wi-Fi or mobile data, and use them when your device is offline.

For Android, open Google Maps and search for a specific place or location. In the placesheet, swipe right, then tap More > Download offline map > Download. For iPhone, search for a location on Google Maps, then, at the bottom of your screen, tap the name or address of the place. Tap More > Download offline map > Download.

After you download an area, use Google Maps as you normally would. If you go offline, your offline maps will guide you to your destination as long as the entire route is within the offline map.

Enable Detailed Voice Guidance

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Voice guidance is a basic yet powerful navigation tool that can come in handy during walks in unfamiliar locations and can be used to ensure your journey is on the right path. To ensure guidance audio is enabled, go to your Google Maps profile (upper right corner), then tap Settings > Navigation > Sound and Voice. Here, tap “Unmute” on “Guidance Audio.”

Apart from this, you can also use Google Assistant to help you along your journey, asking questions about your destination, nearby sights, detours, additional stops, etc. To use this feature on iPhone, map a walking route to a destination, then tap the mic icon in the upper-right corner. For Android, you can also say “Hey Google” after mapping your destination to activate the assistant.

Voice guidance is handy for both new and old places, like when you’re running errands and need to navigate hands-free.

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To add multiple stops on Google Maps, search for a destination, then tap “Directions.” Select the walking option, then click the three dots on top (next to “Your Location”), and tap “Edit Stops.” You can now add a stop by searching for it and tapping “Add Stop,” and swap the stops at your convenience. Repeat this process by tapping “Add Stops” until your route is complete, then tap “Start” to begin your journey.

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More to discover

A new feature to keep an eye out for, especially if you use Google Maps for walking and cycling, is Google’s Gemini boost, which will allow you to navigate hands-free and get real-time information about your journey. This feature has been rolling out for both Android and iOS users.



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