Government warn there is “real risk” patient data will be leaked tomorrow amid HSE cyber attack

Russian hacker group, Wizard Spider, targetted the HSE last week with ransomware, causing a complete shutdown of its systems, which officials have since been working to recover.

There have been reports that some personalised medical data of Irish patients has been shared online in a bid by the attackers, following claims that the gang is seeking a sizeable ransom, which the State has insisted it will not be paying.

A statement from the government released on Sunday afternoon read: "The Government is aware of the risk that data stolen from the HSE may be abused by criminals and is taking measures to prevent that and to support anyone affected.

"There is, sadly, is a real risk of patients’ data being abused in this way. The Government is grateful to mainstream media and online services for their support and we appeal to anyone who may come across this data online not to share it but instead to report it using the tools provided by platforms."

The government also urged people to be aware of scammers taking advantage of the hack to solicit payments from people, and to immediately contact Gardaí with any concerns.

"People are also advised to be cautious of criminals taking advantage of fears around the HSE attack by contacting them to attempt to obtain information or payments. Any such attempts should be reported to An Garda Síochána.

“The Government urges anyone who has reason to suspect they are victims of this cyber-attack to make a report at their local Garda Station or through the Garda Confidential line. The line is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 1800 666 111.” Early last Friday, the HSE announced it had temporarily shut down its IT system after it was targeted in a "significant ransomware attack". Described as possibly the most significant cybercrime attack on the Irish state by Minister of State for eGovernment Ossian Smyth, it has caused major disruptions to health services across the country. Russian hackers known as Wizard Spider have since claimed responsibility for the most serious ever cyber attack on Ireland's critical infrastructure, and are reportedly seeking a ransom of up to €20 million in cryptocurrency. The cyber group is supposedly not motivated by terrorism or espionage and is just seeking money.