The Department of Health has been targeted in a cyberattack, similar to that on the Health Service Executive (HSE), prompting the shutting down of much of its IT infrastructure. Bleeping Computer says the ransom note was obtained by it from a cyber security professional working on the HSE, and now also Department of Health, attack. It claims the attackers have been inside the HSE system for two weeks and encrypted a downloaded a very significant portion of data relating the HSE activities and also about patients. “The NCSC has issued an advisory notice to other Government Departments and agencies in relation to this attempted cyber attack. He said there may also have been a “serious breach” and that Department systems would be examined over the weekend alongside the HSE systems to assess the extent of any damage done.

Source: The Irish Times May 16, 2021 11:35 UTC