Cyberattack on NHS IT provider confirmed as ransomware

The National Health Service (NHS)’s major IT provider, Advanced, experienced a ransomware cyberattack that impacted systems used for patient referrals, ambulance dispatch, appointment bookings, and emergency prescriptions. The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre is assisting in the system recovery and it remains unclear if any NHS data was stolen. Meanwhile, experts have emphasised the need for review and improvement in the security requirements of the NHS’s suppliers to reduce such risks.