❌

Normal view

There are new articles available, click to refresh the page.
Yesterday — 4 July 2024Main stream

Florida Department of Health Hit by Potential Cyberattack, Confirms Temporary Outages

✇Cybersecurity News and Magazine
By: Samiksha Jain
4 July 2024 at 01:38

Florida Department of Health

The Florida Department of Health, the first accredited public health system in the United States, has responded to a query by The Cyber Express regarding claims of a ransomware attack by the notorious RansomHub group. Reports initially suggested that the Florida Department of Health had fallen victim to a significant ransomware attack, potentially compromising critical systems and sensitive data.

Florida Department of Health Official Response

In an official statement to The Cyber Express, the Florida Department of Health acknowledged the occurrence of temporary outages within their online Vital Statistics system, which is believed to be linked to a potential cyber incident.
The statement read, "The Florida Department of Health (Department) can confirm that there have been temporary outages of the online Vital Statistics system following a potential cyber incident. As is standard practice, the Department is coordinating with law enforcement and all relevant stakeholders."
Despite these disruptions, the department reassured the public that the majority of its systems and services remain fully operational.
"Any effected parties will be notified as a comprehensive assessment of the situation is completed. The majority of Department systems and services remain operational with no disruptions." the statement shared with The Cyber Express team further noted.
However, the department has not disclosed any further details in regards to the Florida Department of Health cyberattack, the attacker group, or the extent of the data breach. This lack of specific information leaves many questions unanswered about the potential impact on the department’s data and operations.

RansomHub Group’s Claims

The initial reports, which emerged two days ago, claimed that the RansomHub group had accessed a staggering 100 GB of data from the Florida Department of Health. The group reportedly threatened to publish this stolen information within the next three to four days, escalating concerns about the potential repercussions of the breach. In a parallel development, the RansomHub group also claimed responsibility for targeting NTT DATA, a global leader in business and technology services. According to the group's statements, they have accessed 230 GB of data from the Romanian division of NTT DATA and plan to release it within the same three to four-day timeframe. As of now, NTT DATA has not confirmed these claims nor responded to inquiries by The Cyber Express. The lack of confirmation from NTT DATA adds another layer of uncertainty to the situation, as the potential exposure of such a significant volume of data could have widespread implications.

Public Health Organizations as Prime Targets

The Florida Department of Health's response highlights the ongoing challenges that public health organizations face in safeguarding their digital infrastructure against increasing cyber threats. Public health systems, in particular, are attractive targets for cybercriminals due to the vast amounts of sensitive personal and medical information they handle. The potential fallout from such breaches can be severe, impacting not only the affected organizations but also the individuals whose data is compromised. However, the department’s swift coordination with law enforcement and other stakeholders highlights the importance of a rapid and coordinated response in mitigating the impact of such incidents. The Cyber Express will continue to monitor the situation closely, providing updates as more information becomes available. The Cyber Express remains committed to delivering timely and accurate updates to keep the public informed. In the meantime, this incident serves as a reminder of the critical need for enhanced cybersecurity measures and proactive incident response strategies to protect sensitive data and maintain the integrity of essential services.
Before yesterdayMain stream

RansomHub Double Threat: Florida Health Dept. & NTT DATA Romania Targeted

✇Cybersecurity News and Magazine
By: Samiksha Jain
2 July 2024 at 07:15

RansomHub Claims Data Breach at NTT Data

The Florida Department of Health, the first accredited public health system in the United States, has reportedly fallen victim to a ransomware attack by the notorious RansomHub group. The attackers claim to have accessed a staggering 100 GB of organizational data and have threatened to publish the stolen information within the next three to four days. The implications of such a breach are potentially devastating, given the sensitive nature of the data held by the Florida Department of Health. The organization is responsible for a wide range of public health services, from disease prevention and health promotion to emergency preparedness and response. A data leak of this magnitude could expose personal health information, disrupt health services, and undermine public trust in the state's health system.

UNCONFIRMED: NTT DATA Romania Data Breach

Simultaneously, NTT DATA, a global leader in business and technology services, has also been targeted by RansomHub. The group claims to have accessed 230 GB of data from the Romanian division of NTT DATA, with plans to publish it within the same timeframe of three to four days. NTT DATA Romania is a critical player in the IT and business solutions sector, providing services that include consulting, system integration, and IT infrastructure management. A breach of this scale could have severe repercussions, affecting not only the company's operations but also the clients it serves across various industries. [caption id="attachment_79941" align="aligncenter" width="936"] RansomHub Claim Source: X[/caption]

The Cyber Express Outreach and Unverified Claims

The Cyber Express Team has reached out to both the Florida Department of Health and NTT DATA Romania to verify the claims made by RansomHub. As of the writing of this report, no official responses have been received from either organization, leaving the claims unverified. However, if these claims are proven to be true, the ramifications could be extensive. Data breaches of this nature can lead to significant financial losses, legal consequences, and reputational damage for the affected organizations. Moreover, the compromised data could be used for malicious purposes, further endangering individuals and businesses.

Historical Context of RansomHub's Activities

This latest attack is part of a series of high-profile cyberattacks attributed to RansomHub and other ransomware groups in recent months. In June 2024, RansomHub, along with RansomHouse, allegedly carried out three major cyberattacks in Italy within 24 hours. The targeted entities included the websites of Cloud Europe and Mangimi Fusco, with RansomHouse claiming responsibility for a cyberattack on Francesco Parisi. In May 2024, RansomHub claimed responsibility for a cyberattack on Christie’s auction house. This attack disrupted Christie’s website just days before its marquee spring sales and led to the leaking of data that allegedly included information about some of the world’s wealthiest art collectors. Despite the severity of the claims, Christie’s officials downplayed the breach, stating that no financial or transactional data had been compromised. Additionally, in the same month, RansomHub was implicated in a cybersecurity incident involving United Health. This incident was part of the ALPHV ransomware group’s final breach and exit scam, which involved a significant payment of $22 million. As the situation unfolds, it is crucial for the affected organizations, the Florida Department of Health and NTT DATA Romania, to respond promptly and transparently. For now, the claims by RansomHub remain unverified. The Cyber Express Team will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available. Media Disclaimer: This report is based on internal and external research obtained through various means. The information provided is for reference purposes only, and users bear full responsibility for their reliance on it. The Cyber Express assumes no liability for the accuracy or consequences of using this information.
❌
❌