“Sections of our system have been deleted, including in our backup server, and this will require rebuilding the affected parts.”
The NHLS said it swiftly activated its incident response team, which included internal experts and external cybersecurity professionals.
“The cyberattacks did continue but we have been able to block them because of the additional layer of security that was built to prevent further damage. We also have had to shut down systems to enable us to repair the damage.”
While no patient data was affected, the organisation’s systems would remain inaccessible internally and externally, including to and from healthcare facilities, until the integrity of the environment is secured and repaired, it said.
The NHLS said its laboratories were operating.
“Under normal circumstances, the laboratory reports are automatically generated and sent to clinicians or made available on web view, but the incident has disabled that functionality. However, all urgent results are communicated telephonically to requesting clinicians.”
TimesLIVE
TimesLIVE
www.timeslive.co.za
