No evidence of mass dumping of data from HSE cyberattack – Taoiseach

Taoiseach Micheal Martin said there has been ‘no great evidence’ of any mass dumping of patient data stolen from the HSE in a cyber attack. Picture: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews.ie

There has been “no great evidence” of any mass dumping of patient data stolen from the HSE in a cyberattack, the Taoiseach has said.

The HSE and the Government are preparing for the release of data stolen by the criminal gang behind the ransomware attack.

Micheál Martin said multiple teams, including the National Cyber Security Centre, the gardai and the HSE, are monitoring the threat “very closely”.

He said there is “no great evidence yet” of any mass dumping of data.

Due to the ransomware attack on our IT systems, there continues to be disruptions to our services. More details on service disruptions here: https://t.co/mt0dfZpdKH pic.twitter.com/I6txA77us8

— HSE Ireland (@HSELive) May 23, 2021

Mr Martin urged people to be cautious of criminals taking advantage of fears around the HSE attack by contacting them to attempt to obtain information or payments.

“If anybody has any suspicions if anybody comes across any data and you see it, don’t share it, report it,” Mr Martin added.

“There’s two strands to this – fundamentally we want to get services back as quick as we possibly can.

“Progress has been made on that, the (decryption) key that was given back is helping.”

Mr Martin said services are returning to some hospitals on a gradual basis including The Mater, Tallaght, St James and Beaumont.

The Fianna Fáil leader said the Government will not be paying the gang the ransom to stop the publication of the data.

“It’s a despicable act to steal someone’s data,” he added.

“They may not have realised that they had taken on an entire state or government or health service, but the data is perhaps where they see some value.

“So far we haven’t seen any significant dumping of data.

“This attack is criminal, these are criminals and will seek to exploit this data, but again, we’ve had very good co-operation with social media companies who’ve been very proactive with the Government and have agreed to shut down anything and take it down as quickly as they see anything.

“We have a High Court injunction as well, which makes it fundamentally illegal to engage in this type of activity and behaviour.”

He admitted that the health service has always been vulnerable to a cyberattack, adding that he queried Ireland’s cyber protection with various people at senior levels when he became Taoiseach.

He said that while the budget for cybersecurity has increased in recent years, the Government needs to do more.

Criminals have attacked our health service & IT systems are shut down. This is a serious & high risk event. We thank everyone: patients, their families, and the public, for their patience. Our staff are working incredibly hard to keep essential services going.#OurHealthService pic.twitter.com/yx4EH9rN3U

— HSE Ireland (@HSELive) May 23, 2021

Mr Martin also said that Poland and the UK have been helpful throughout the attack.

Anyone who believes or suspects they have been victims of this cyber attack is urged 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.

The ransomware attack has resulted in the HSE having to close down all its IT services, causing widespread delays and the cancellation of appointments at hospitals across the country.