Cybersecurity Firm Owner Faces Malware-Installation Allegations at US Hospital

• An American cybersecurity CEO was accused of installing malware on computers at a hospital.
• The State of Oklahoma issued an arrest warrant for charges under Oklahoma's Computer Crimes Act.
• He reportedly accessed two hospital computers and installed software that captured and exfiltrated screenshots.

A cybersecurity firm owner from Oklahoma City is under scrutiny after being accused of installing malware on computers at St. Anthony’s Hospital. The incident, which allegedly occurred in August 2024, has led to the CEO Jeffrey Bowie facing charges under Oklahoma's Computer Crimes Act.

Court records allege that Jeffrey Bowie used two hospital computers, one for employee use only, to install malware that captured screenshots every 20 minutes and transmitted them to a remote server. Forensic investigators later uncovered the malicious software after hospital staff intervened. 

The individual reportedly used the computer while claiming he was visiting a family member undergoing surgery. Although the malware was swiftly removed, St. Anthony’s Hospital assured that patient data was not accessed.

Jeffrey Bowie is the CEO of cybersecurity firm Veritaco, which offers cybersecurity services such as digital forensics and incident response and is listed as having only two to ten employees. 

He took to LinkedIn to dispute the allegations, admitting to installing software on the hospital computer but denying any wrongdoing involving staff systems and sensitive medical records. 

Claiming extenuating circumstances, he attributed his actions to mental health struggles and paranoia stemming from a previous hospital IT data breach and alleged mishandling of his medication.

The fallout has reportedly cost Bowie over $12,000 in business losses, as he claims his reputation has been damaged by media reports. Despite the charges, Bowie stated that he was never arrested.

Additionally, he claimed that federal agents initially approached him for AI-related work but later questioned him about the malware incident.

Bowie could face severe penalties if convicted under Oklahoma’s Computer Crimes Act, as it involves fines ranging from $5,000 to $100,000, imprisonment for up to ten years, or both.