Adrian Johnson
TLDR:
Key Points:
- A Russian cyber gang named Qilin is believed to be behind a ransomware attack that disrupted London hospitals.
- The attack affected several hospitals, clinics, and doctors’ practices across the city, leading to canceled operations and appointments.
A Russian cyber gang known as Qilin is suspected of being behind a ransomware attack that targeted London hospitals, causing disruptions in operations and appointments. The former head of British cybersecurity, Ciaran Martin, identified Qilin as the likely group responsible for the attack on Synnovis, a provider of pathology lab services for NHS hospitals. This attack is considered one of the more serious ransomware incidents in the UK as it completely disabled systems, impacting patient care and services.
The attack affected hospitals run by the National Health Service, including King’s College and Guy’s and St. Thomas’ hospital trusts in south London. The incident led to cancellations of procedures and operations, with a memo to staff describing it as a “critical incident” with a major impact on services, especially blood transfusions. While Synnovis is still investigating the incident, it is believed to have been a targeted ransomware attack aimed at disrupting healthcare operations.
Ransomware attacks involve criminals using malware to paralyze computer systems and demanding payment for their release. They are considered one of the most costly and disruptive forms of cybercrime, affecting various sectors including healthcare, local governments, and businesses. The challenge in combating these attacks lies in the fact that many of the criminal groups are based in former Soviet states and operate beyond the reach of Western justice systems.
This incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing threat posed by cybercriminals to critical infrastructure and services, highlighting the need for continuous vigilance and security measures to protect against such attacks.
