Synlab Italia has suspended all medical diagnosis and testing services, following a ransomware attack that forced IT systems offline.
See also: PSI Software confirms ransomware attack
Part of the Synlab group present in 30 countries worldwide, the Synlab Italia network has 380 laboratories and medical centers throughout Italy. It has an annual turnover of 426 million dollars and performs 35 million analyzes every year.
Late last week, Synlab Italia announced that it had suffered a ransomware attack in the early hours of April 18, which forced it to shut down all computers to contain the malicious activity.
" As soon as they were informed, the IT department proceeded to exclude the entire corporate infrastructure from the network and shut down all machines, in compliance with the company's IT security procedures ," the company's announcement states .
Although the company has not confirmed it, some sensitive medical data may have been exposed to the attackers.
As a result of this incident, all laboratory analysis and sample collection services have been suspended until further notice. Customers to use the telephone to contact Synlab as email communication services are down.
See also: Jackson County hit by ransomware attack
The medical samples that Synlab Italy had received before the ransomware attack but had not yet begun to be analyzed are stored under low temperature conditions as required in such cases. However, depending on the time needed to restore the systems, customers may need to submit new samples.
The company released an update over the weekend, saying it has gradually begun to reactivate some services, including specialist outpatient visits and physiotherapy.
Meanwhile, efforts are being made to ensure that the malware is no longer present in the IT infrastructure and to restore systems from backup.
No specific recovery timeline was provided. Instead, customers were encouraged to check the website or follow Synlab's social media for further updates.
So far, no major ransomware gang has claimed responsibility for the cyberattack on Synlab Italia.
See also: City of Huntsville confirms ransomware attack
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What are the best practices for protecting against ransomware attacks?
One of the most effective practices for protecting against ransomware attacks, such as that of Synlab Italia, is to create and frequently update backups of important data. This will allow the business to recover data without having to pay the ransom demanded. It is also important to keep the computer’s software and operating system up to date. Updates often include security patches that can protect against the latest ransomware attacks. Educating users on how to recognize and avoid phishing attacks is another vital practice. Finally, using a strong security solution, such as a reputable antivirus program and a firewall, can provide an additional layer of protection against ransomware attacks.
Source: bleepingcomputer
