**University of Hawaii Cancer Center Hit with Devastating Hack: Ransomware Thieves Steal Patient Research Files**

Tragedy has struck the University of Hawaii Cancer Center, one of the state's premier research institutions for cancer treatment and care. In a shocking revelation that highlights the growing threat to medical data security, hackers have made off with sensitive research files related to patients who participated in studies at the center during the 1990s.

According to sources close to the university, an undetermined number of individuals will soon receive notification about the breach. The affected patients may be those who underwent treatment for various forms of cancer between the late 1980s and early 2000s. As experts in cybersecurity warn, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the alarming vulnerabilities in medical research data.

The University of Hawaii Cancer Center – and sole National Cancer Institute-designated center in the state – reported the breach to state officials in December 2025. The institution confirmed that it had paid a ransom in exchange for a decryptor key, which was obtained from the hackers. In addition, the perpetrators allegedly promised to destroy the stolen data.

While some may question whether paying the ransom was the right decision, experts are quick to point out that this incident raises critical questions about the risks associated with storing sensitive medical research data. The breach highlights a pressing concern: as healthcare institutions increasingly rely on digital platforms for storage and collaboration, they also become more susceptible to cyber threats.

As we continue to navigate the complex world of healthcare data protection, one thing is clear: protecting patient confidentiality and safeguarding sensitive research information has never been more crucial. The University of Hawaii Cancer Center's breach serves as a stark reminder that even the most reputable institutions are not immune to these risks.

**Key Details of the Hack:**

* **Date:** August 2025 * **Scope:** Undetermined number of patients who participated in studies at the University of Hawaii Cancer Center between the late 1980s and early 2000s * **Compromised data:** Research files related to patient treatments and outcomes * **Ransom payment:** The university paid an undisclosed ransom in exchange for a decryptor key and a promise from hackers to destroy the stolen data.