Russian cyberattack crooks are holding NHS hospitals to ransom after major hack

05 June 2024 , 18:31

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A hacker works on a computer in a darkened room (file image) (Image: Getty Images)

Russian cyber crooks are holding major hospitals to ransom after a hack attack on an NHS contractor.

Operations and tests had to be cancelled after Monday’s ransomware assault on private firm Synnovis, which runs some NHS pathology services. Ciaran Martin, former chief of the National Cyber Security Centre, said the hack has led to a “severe reduction in capacity” and is “very, very serious”.

He said it was the work of a group of Russian cyber criminals called Qilin, adding: “These criminal groups operate freely from within Russia. “They’ve got websites on the so-called dark web, and this particular group has about a two-year history of attacking various organisations across the world.

“They’ve done automotive companies, they’ve attacked the Big Issue here in the UK, they’ve attacked Australian courts. They’re looking for money.”

The Kings College Hospital in London was affected (ANDY RAIN/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

He added: “There are two types of ransomware attack. One is when they steal a load of data and they try and extort you into paying so that isn’t released, but this case is different. It’s the more serious type of ransomware where the system just doesn’t work.”

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Memos have been sent to NHS staff at King’s College Hospital, Guy’s and St Thomas’, which includes the Royal Brompton and the Evelina London Children’s Hospital, as well as primary care services in the capital.

Some procedures and operations at the London hospitals have been cancelled or redirected to other NHS providers. Health Secretary Victoria Atkins said: “Throughout yesterday, I had meetings with NHS England and the National Cyber Security Centre to oversee the response to the cyber attack. My absolute priority is patient safety.”

NHS London said: “The ransomware cyberattack is continuing to cause disruption. All urgent and emergency services remain open as usual.

“Unfortunately, some operations and procedures have been postponed, and blood testing is being prioritised for the most urgent cases. NHS England has deployed a cyber incident response team.”

Martin Bagot