A Russian cyber gang is thought to be behind a ransomware attack that hit London hospitals

Britain’s state-funded health system has been hit before, including during a 2017 ransomware attack that froze computers at hospitals across the country, closing down wards, shutting emergency rooms and bringing treatment to a halt. — Image by freepik

LONDON: A Russian cyber gang is believed to be behind a ransomware attack that disrupted London hospitals and led to operations and appointments being cancelled, the former head of British cybersecurity said on June 5.

A group known as Qilin is most likely behind the attack on Synnovis, which provides pathology lab services for several hospitals run by the National Health Service, said Ciaran Martin, former chief executive of the National Cyber Security Centre.