Britain s ex-GCHQ chief has urged the government to ban ransomware payments to stop criminals profiteering from attacks.
Ciaran Martin, the founding chief executive of GCHQ s Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), spoke after the Irish health service was targeted by international criminals yesterday.
The Taoiseach refused to pay a ransom demand after the Health Service Executive (HSE) was plunged into chaos by the most significant cybercrime in the history of the State which threatened the care of thousands of patients.
And Mr Martin today said making these payments illegal would help stop the funding of organised criminals who forced businesses into helping pay for further attacks.
File photo.
Photo: 123RF
In Whangarei, builder Roland Mosley isn t having much luck planning ahead. He recently went to building supply store and asked for James Hardie products.
James Hardie is the largest global supplier of fibre cement material but Mosley was told he would have to wait 15 to 20 weeks. I think it s getting worse rather than better, he said. It s really the first time that the Hardies, or various suppliers, have admitted that they ve got this sort of delay. Normally you just order it and hope but now they re actually giving a timeline that is that far out.
He said this brought constant delays.
Some HSE Services Affected By Cyber Attack
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The HSE was forced to shut down its IT system today following a cyber attack, resulting in disruption to some health services.
The incident has been described as a significant ransomware attack , focused on accessing data stored on central servers.
Hospitals have warned of disruption to routine appointments, with the Rotunda Hospital cancelling most of its appointments for the day.
The COVID-19 vaccination programme has not been impacted and is continuing as planned.
Professor Barry O Sullivan from the School of Computer Science at UCC and Priscilla Lynch, clinical editor of the Medical Independent, joined us to discuss this.
Racing: Size proves no handicap for Hastings filly Swing Low
14 May, 2021 06:00 PM
8 minutes to read
Strapper Sarah Davis gives Swing Low an affectionate pat after the filly s gutsy win in a maiden 1600m race at Woodville last Saturday. Photo / Supplied
Strapper Sarah Davis gives Swing Low an affectionate pat after the filly s gutsy win in a maiden 1600m race at Woodville last Saturday. Photo / Supplied
Hawkes Bay Today
By: John Jenkins
What Hastings filly Swing Low lacks in size and stature, at the moment, she more than makes up with in toughness, as she showed when scoring a gutsy maiden win at Woodville last Sunday.
Explainer: What is a ransomware attack and why has the HSE been targeted?
The HSE’s IT systems have been shut down following a “significant” cyber attack. By Orla Dwyer Friday 14 May 2021, 4:05 PM May 14th 2021, 4:05 PM 33,424 Views 14 Comments
Image: Shutterstock
Image: Shutterstock
THE HSE HAS shut down its IT systems after it became aware of a “significant ransomware attack”.
The HSE chief executive Paul Reid has called it a “major incident” for the health service.
The HSE was made aware of the attack during the night and it is currently being contained by shutting down all national and local IT systems in order to protect them.