GREENFIELD — Hancock Health fell victim to a cyber attack Attack.Ransom Thursday , with a hacker demanding Bitcoin Attack.Ransom to relinquish control of part of the hospital ’ s computer system . Employees knew something was wrong Thursday night , when the network began running more slowly than normal , senior vice president/chief strategy and innovation officer Rob Matt said . A short time later , a message flashed on a hospital computer screen , stating parts of the system would be held hostage until a ransom is paid Attack.Ransom . The hacker asked for Bitcoin Attack.Ransom — a virtual currency used to make anonymous transactions that is nearly impossible to trace . The hospital ’ s IT team opted to immediately shut down the network to isolate the problem . The attack affected Hancock Health ’ s entire health network , including its physician offices and wellness centers . Friday afternoon , Hancock Health CEO Steve Long confirmed the network was targeted by a ransomware attack Attack.Ransom from an unnamed hacker who “ attempted to shut down ( Hancock Health ’ s ) operations. ” Hospital leaders don ’ t believe any personal medical information has been compromised Attack.Databreach , Long said . Long declined to disclose details of the attack Attack.Ransom , including how much ransom has been requested Attack.Ransom . The attack amounts to a “ digital padlock , ” restricting personnel access to parts of the health network ’ s computer systems , he said . The attack was not the result of an employee opening a malware-infected email , a common tactic used to hack computer systems , he said . The attack was sophisticated , he said , adding FBI officials are familiar with this method of security breach . “ This was not a 15-year-old kid sitting in his mother ’ s basement , ” Long said . Protecting patients Notices posted Friday at entrances to Hancock Regional Hospital alerted visitors to a “ system-wide outage ” and asked any hospital employee or office using a HRH network to ensure all computers were turned off . Doctors and nurses have reverted to using pen and paper for now to keep patients ’ medical charts updated . Long said he wasn ’ t aware of any appointments or procedures that were canceled directly related to the incident , adding Friday ’ s snowy weather contributed to many cancellations . Most patients likely didn ’ t notice there was a problem , nor did the attack significantly impact patient care , Long said . Hospital staff members worked with the FBI and a national IT security company overnight and throughout the day Friday to resolve the issue . Long said law enforcement has been acting in an “ advisory capacity , ” and declined to release details about the plan going forward , including whether the hospital is considering paying the ransom Attack.Ransom . Long commended his staff , especially IT workers , who quickly identified the problem Thursday evening . “ If I was going through this with anybody , this is the team I would want to go through this with because I know what the outcome is going to be , ” he said . Leaders updated hospital employees , totaling about 1,200 people , throughout the day Friday and took steps to be accommodate both patients and staff , including offering free food in the hospital cafeteria all day , Long said . Long said if there is any suggestion private patient information has been compromised Attack.Databreach , hospital officials will reach out to those affected , though he doesn ’ t expect that to become an issue . “ We anticipate questions , ” he said . “ This is not a small deal . ”