A sophisticated ransomware attack forced the authorities to shut down most of the major IT systems running Ireland’s national health care service as a precaution to help secure all core services compromised during the data breach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some health services remain operational, such as the clinical systems and COVID-19 vaccination programs, which operate with separate infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nevertheless, the system for processing referrals from medical staff and close contacts failed, and Health Service Executives (HSE) tweeted that those who need tests should go to walk-in centers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, although authorities revealed that the attack used Conti, a human-operated ransomware.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Health workers were advised to turn off their laptops, while those working in hospitals used pen and paper to manage their patients’ information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a statement on its official website, Ireland’s child and family agency Tusla said its internal systems – including email and child protection referral portal – were offline because they were hosted by the HSE network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the world continues to fight the pandemic, cyber-criminals have stepped up attacks in recent months. Just a few weeks ago, hackers believed to be from Eastern Europe gained access to the IT systems of Colonial Pipeline, a major fuel supplier in the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n