British NHS Hospital Trust Under Cyber Attack

The largest NHS hospital trust in England has been infected with a virus affecting thousands of sensitive files.

A message sent to staff at Barts Health Trust recently warns that the Trust’s four hospitals are experiencing a “ransomware virus attack.” The victims of blackmail ransomware usually receive phishing messages in an attempt to elicit money in order to restore access to the computer system.

The Trust said it was making “every effort” to avoid disruption to patients treated at its four hospitals in east London: The Royal London, St Bartholomew’s, Whipps Cross and Newham.

A source at the trust told Health Service Journal that the attack had affected thousands of files on the trust’s Windows XP operating system, and the trust’s file sharing system between departments has been turned off while an investigation takes place.

A Trust spokesman said: “We are urgently investigating this matter and have taken a number of drives offline as a precautionary measure. We have tried and tested contingency plans in place and are making every effort to ensure that patient care will not be affected.”

The incident follows Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Foundation trust being hit by a ransomware attack in October, from a virus which made files inaccessible.

At the Lincolnshire trust the attack began as a result of phishing emails, which contain malicious website links or attachments that release a virus once activated.

The trust did not pay any ransom as a result of the attack but it did have to cancel 2,800 patient appointments during 48 hours when it shut down systems.

In October,  the Government warned that the NHS was at risk of cyber-attacks,  saying that hacking is "no longer the stuff of spy thrillers and action movies" but a clear and present threat.

Ben Gummer, a Health minister, said "large quantities of sensitive data" held by the NHS and the Government is being targeted by hackers. He warned that cyber attackers, including those working for foreign states, could try to "disrupt" Britain's energy, water and transport networks.

Telegraph:              Healthcare Data Breaches In 2017 Will Get Worse:

 

« Defence Research Agency To Create Secure Data-Sharing Tech
UK Bank Fraud Landmark: TSB Repays Victim & Admits Giving Criminals Bank Accounts »

CyberSecurity Jobsite
Perimeter 81

Directory of Suppliers

IT Governance

IT Governance

IT Governance is a leading global provider of information security solutions. Download our free guide and find out how ISO 27001 can help protect your organisation's information.

Authentic8

Authentic8

Authentic8 transforms how organizations secure and control the use of the web with Silo, its patented cloud browser.

LockLizard

LockLizard

Locklizard provides PDF DRM software that protects PDF documents from unauthorized access and misuse. Share and sell documents securely - prevent document leakage, sharing and piracy.

BackupVault

BackupVault

BackupVault is a leading provider of automatic cloud backup and critical data protection against ransomware, insider attacks and hackers for businesses and organisations worldwide.

Clayden Law

Clayden Law

Clayden Law advise global businesses that buy and sell technology products and services. We are experts in information technology, data privacy and cybersecurity law.

Malwarebytes

Malwarebytes

Malwarebytes provides artificial intelligence-powered technology that stops cyberattacks before they can compromise computers and endpoints.

CSIS Security Group

CSIS Security Group

CSIS provide actionable threat intelligence, prevention, incident response and 24/7 managed security services.

Cybersecurity Competence Center (C3)

Cybersecurity Competence Center (C3)

The Cybersecurity Competence Center was created to further strengthen the Luxembourg economy in the field of cybersecurity.

Cybersecurity Tech Accord

Cybersecurity Tech Accord

The Cybersecurity Tech Accord promotes a safer online world by fostering collaboration among global technology companies.

BlueKrypt

BlueKrypt

BlueKrypt is a consulting firm for the security of IT systems and their management.

Cloud Managed Networks

Cloud Managed Networks

Cloud Managed Networks provides enterprise grade IT network solutions for cloud-based and on premise network security, Wi-Fi, data switching, collaboration, device management and more.

Specops Software

Specops Software

Specops Software is a leading password management and authentication solution vendor.

Angoka

Angoka

Angoka provide hardware-based solutions for managing the cybersecurity risks inherent in machine-to-machine communication networks.

Bechtle

Bechtle

Bechtle is one of Europe’s leading IT service providers offering a blend of direct IT product sales and extensive systems integration services.

Thistle Technologies

Thistle Technologies

Thistle Technologies is building tools that help connected device manufacturers build security resiliency into devices.

Allied Telesis

Allied Telesis

Allied Telesis delivers the secure, flexible, and agile solutions needed to meet the expectations of any industry’s critical mission.

Electrosoft Services

Electrosoft Services

Electrosoft provide mature, innovative technology-based services and solutions to power critical IT programs and keep our nation safe from cybersecurity attacks.

Material Security

Material Security

Material is solving one of the most fundamental problems in security: protecting the data sitting in mailboxes.

Aceiss

Aceiss

Aceiss empowers access security, providing unprecedented visibility and insights into user access.

Oasis Technology

Oasis Technology

Oasis Technology are experts in cyber security. In addition to pioneering the game-changing TITAN anti-hacking device, we provide extensive cyber security consulting services.

Entech

Entech

Entech is a managed IT service provider. We work behind the scenes on your network to ensure data security and integrity.