UNM Restores Health Systems Following Cyberattack and Warns Public
Officials caution students and patients against secondary scams after a cybersecurity threat disrupted operations.
- By Jesse Jacobs
- October 28, 2026
University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center officials are advising patients, students, employees and community members not to communicate with any group claiming responsibility for a cybersecurity threat that disrupted operations.
Information technology security teams identified the threat at approximately 11 a.m. Monday and launched containment efforts. An assessment determined that the incident affected some end-user devices but did not penetrate core networks, systems or servers.
Leadership activated the Emergency Operations Center to manage the response. Between 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Monday, UNM Health diverted ambulance traffic to other health facilities in Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Outpatient surgeries and clinic appointments were suspended for the remainder of the day.
UNM canceled classes across the School of Medicine, College of Nursing, College of Pharmacy and College of Population Health, and nonessential personnel were sent home. Classes at the central and branch campuses remained unaffected.
Technicians worked with external partners to secure the network and notified state and federal law enforcement. UNM Health began restoring operations in phases Monday afternoon, and critical electronic systems returned online alongside regular clinical and academic schedules.
University officials stated that UNM made no concessions with any group behind the threat. Administrators cautioned that perpetrators may attempt follow-up scams, including false offers of payment or compensation to steal personal or financial records.
The public is instructed not to click links, open attachments or share credentials. Any contact from individuals claiming responsibility should be preserved and reported to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center.