Previous All Posts Next

16 Hospitals Hit in Massive Ransomware Attack

Posted: May 12, 2017 to News.

Tags: Ransomware, Cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, Malware, HIPAA

Sixteen hospitals had to divert patients to other facilities today after a wave of ransomware encrypted vital documents. The 16 hospitals are spread throughout the United Kingdom. The National Health Service has advised patients not to seek medical help except for emergencies and acute ailments. While it's not known for sure how or why the ransomware was able to spread so fast, one possible culprit is a recently-patched vulnerability in Windows operating systems. The strain of ransomware is a pretty new one called WannaCry. It acts like any other ransomware, encrypting files until the victim pays a ransom in Bitcoin, although with WannaCry the malware is relatively easy to clean. Unfortunately, that does nothing to unlock the encrypted files. WannaCry also hit one of Spain's biggest telecoms, Telefonica, today. They sent messages to employees to turn off their computers and even their VPN connections to limit the spread of the ransomware. The National Health Service believes that patient data has not been stolen, which would be the small silver lining in this.

Protect Your Business Today

Petronella Technology Group has provided cybersecurity, compliance, and managed IT services from Raleigh, NC for over 23 years. Contact us today for a free consultation and technology assessment.

Need help implementing these strategies? Our cybersecurity experts can assess your environment and build a tailored plan.
Get Free Assessment

About the Author

Craig Petronella, CEO and Founder of Petronella Technology Group
CEO, Founder & AI Architect, Petronella Technology Group

Craig Petronella founded Petronella Technology Group in 2002 and has spent more than 30 years working at the intersection of cybersecurity, AI, compliance, and digital forensics. He holds the CMMC Registered Practitioner credential (RP-1372) issued by the Cyber AB, is an NC Licensed Digital Forensics Examiner (License #604180-DFE), and completed MIT Professional Education programs in AI, Blockchain, and Cybersecurity. Craig also holds CompTIA Security+, CCNA, and Hyperledger certifications.

He is an Amazon #1 Best-Selling Author of 15+ books on cybersecurity and compliance, host of the Encrypted Ambition podcast (95+ episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon), and a cybersecurity keynote speaker with 200+ engagements at conferences, law firms, and corporate boardrooms. Craig serves as Contributing Editor for Cybersecurity at NC Triangle Attorney at Law Magazine and is a guest lecturer at NCCU School of Law. He has served as a digital forensics expert witness in federal and state court cases involving cybercrime, cryptocurrency fraud, SIM-swap attacks, and data breaches.

Under his leadership, Petronella Technology Group has served 2,500+ clients, maintained a zero-breach record among compliant clients, earned a BBB A+ rating every year since 2003, and been featured as a cybersecurity authority on CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX, and WRAL. The company leverages SOC 2 Type II certified platforms and specializes in AI implementation, managed cybersecurity, CMMC/HIPAA/SOC 2 compliance, and digital forensics for businesses across the United States.

CMMC-RP NC Licensed DFE MIT Certified CompTIA Security+ Expert Witness 15+ Books
Related Service
Need Cybersecurity or Compliance Help?

Schedule a free consultation with our cybersecurity experts to discuss your security needs.

Schedule Free Consultation
Previous All Posts Next
Free cybersecurity consultation available Schedule Now