SOUTH BEND — A local physicians network was the focus of a recent cyberattack that released ransomware into its network . According to a news release from Allied Physicians of Michiana CEO Shery Roussarie , the company became aware of the cyberattack on Thursday afternoon and immediately took steps to shut down the network in order to protect personal and protected health information of patients . The company restored its data in a secure format without significant disruption to patients , but an investigation is ongoing to confirm that personal or protected health information wasn ’ t compromised Attack.Databreach . The type of ransomware , known as SamSam , has been used in other attacks to coerce businesses , municipalities and individuals to pay a ransom Attack.Ransom in order to unlock files held hostage by the infection . In March , the city of Atlanta was attacked Attack.Ransom by SamSam ransomware that crippled its court system , prevented water bill payments and forced city employees to file paper reports . “ The security of our patients ’ personal and protected health information is foremost in our mind ” Roussarie said in the news release . “ While we make every effort to keep ahead of these types of cyberattacks , we have nevertheless taken additional steps to minimize any such future attack of the type experienced last week. ” Allied Physicians would not say whether or not it has paid a ransom Attack.Ransom , or what amount was demanded Attack.Ransom by the SamSam hackers , but that it plans to work with “ all relevant regulatory agencies , including the FBI , to thoroughly define the scope of the incident . ”