Stryker cyber attack: Taoiseach warns of economic threat after Iran-linked hacking incident

Iran-linked hacking group blamed for attack that halted operations at medical technology firm employing thousands in Ireland

US company Stryker's Cork plant was brought to a standstill this week by a cyber attack carried out by the Iranian-linked Handala organisation in response the Middle East conflict. Picture: Larry Cummins

The Taoiseach has described a crippling cyber attack on the multinational firm Stryker as "shocking", and said it must act as a wake-up call on the threats facing our economy.

Stryker, the US surgical equipment firm that employs thousands of people in Ireland, was brought to a standstill this week by a cyber attack carried out by the Iranian-linked Handala organisation in response the Middle East conflict. 

Stryker chief executive Kevin Lobo said the cyber attack had now been “fully contained” following around-the-clock efforts by IT experts, but the company must continue a “restoration phase" before normal operations could resume.

“We believe that this attack did not involve ransomware or malware, meaning there is no risk of system contamination," Mr Lobo said in a statement.

“Our employees and our sites are safe. Our products and our customers are also safe. Our teams are working closely with customers, Government partners, and third-party experts to maintain business continuity.” 

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the potential damage from cyberwarfare was a clear threat to economic output.

"I think it's quite shocking, but it's an illustration of how severe the threats are. 

"Sometimes, people perhaps don't realise the severity and impact of such cyber attacks, and this is a very modern company, providing thousands of jobs in Ireland, and in Cork in particular. 

The idea that people can't go to work because of an attack of this nature brings home the reality of the threats that are out there to our economy and to our economic security. 

"It's very, very serious.

"We have heard the reports and people talking about an Iranian-backed hacking exercise here, which is extremely worrying. 

"It's not a surprise that we have state actors in this field... the UK had similar experiences with manufacturing companies, which had an impact on their GNI [gross national income] figures that came out last year."

Mr Martin said there was "a disconnect" in politics around the issue of cybersecurity.

"The political world needs to wake up to the threats to our economic activity," he said.

Justice minister Jim O'Callaghan is to bring forward legislation that would require companies which fall victim to cyber attacks to notify the Government. 

The attack on Stryker was a “wiper” attack, designed to destroy IT systems and data. 

Such attacks are typically politically, rather than financially, motivated.

Help desks have been set up at all Stryker facilities to help staff regain access to their computers. Employees brought their computers back on site on Friday to be repaired.

“Laptops are slowly being fixed,” one worker said.