The University of Hawaiʻi (UH) Cancer Center confirmed a ransomware attack affecting 1.24 million people. The breach targeted historical research datasets within the Epidemiology Division.

What You Need to Know

• The Data Involved: Hackers accessed historical files containing Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, and voter registration records from 1998.
• Who is Affected: Roughly 87,000 participants of the Multiethnic Cohort (MEC) Study and 1.15 million individuals found in state records used for research recruitment.
• The Ransom: UH officials confirmed they paid a ransom to the attackers to ensure the stolen data was deleted and to regain access to encrypted files.
• Exclusions: This incident did not impact student records, current patient care, or active clinical trials.

Next Steps for Protection

• Check Your Mail: UH began mailing physical notification letters on February 23, 2026.
• Free Protection: Affected individuals are eligible for 12 months of free credit monitoring and identity theft insurance.
• Official Resources: For specific questions, visit the UH Cancer Center Cyberattack Resource Page or call their dedicated hotline at (844) 443-0842.