Ransomware Attack on Pathology Services Vendor Disrupts NHS Care in London

A ransomware attack on a pathology services vendor earlier this week continues to disrupt patient care, including transplants, blood testing, and other services, at multiple NHS hospitals and primary care facilities in London. The vendor, Synnovis, is struggling to recover from the attack, which has affected all its IT systems, leading to significant interruptions in pathology services.

The Russian-speaking cybercriminal gang Qilin is believed to be behind the attack. Ciaran Martin, former chief executive of the U.K. National Cyber Security Center, described the incident as “one of the more serious” cyberattacks ever seen in England. 

Speaking to the BBC, Martin indicated that the criminal group was “looking for money” by targeting Synnovis, although the British government maintains a policy against paying ransoms.

Synnovis is a partnership between two London-based hospital trusts and SYNLAB. The attack has caused widespread disruption. According to Brett Callow, a threat analyst at security firm Emsisoft, the health sector remains a profitable target for cybercriminals. He noted that attacks on providers and their supply chains will persist unless security is bolstered and financial incentives for such attacks are removed. 

In an update posted Thursday, the NHS reported that organizations across London are working together to manage patient care following the ransomware attack on Synnovis. Affected NHS entities include Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust,

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