HSE Chief: Access To Decryption Key Welcome, But "Fraught With Risk".

Saturday, 22 May 2021 08:57

It will take weeks to rebuild the HSE's IT systems, after last week's cyber attack.

The head of the HSE says access to the unlocking codes for its system is welcome - but still "fraught with risk".

Paul Reid says it won't be a "switch back on" process in recovering from last week's cyber attack.

Access to the unlocking codes to our network is welcome. But it isn't a "switch back on" process & still fraught with risk. We'll continue to rebuild services & systems safely whilst evaluating the impact of these codes. The impact remains for the coming weeks for now @HSELive
— Paul Reid (@paulreiddublin) May 22, 2021

A decryption code is being analysed this weekend to see if it can be safely used to regain access to patient data.

Dr Simon Woodworth is a lecturer in business information systems in UCC, and a cyber security expert.

He says it'll be at least six weeks before the HSE's systems are working properly again - even if the decryption key works.

Dr Adrienne Foran, the clinical director of Temple Street Children's Hospital, says there'll be no big improvement in the coming days.

Due to the ransomware attack on our IT systems, there continues to be disruptions to our services. More details on service disruptions here: https://t.co/6WxGKGZp46 pic.twitter.com/gYVmUDVH4l
— HSE Ireland (@HSELive) May 21, 2021

Tusla - Child and Family Agency says it continues to be significantly affected by the recent cyber-attack on HSE systems.

It says it has many files and databases on the HSE network and all of these are unavailable to it at this time.

Referrals continue to operate manually as the portal normally used for identifying concerns to the Agency is switched off.

It says every effort will continue to be made to reduce the impact of this crime on people.

Tusla continues to be significantly affected by the recent cyber attack. For further updates, contact numbers, and details on how to report a concern about a child, please visit https://t.co/bWnrMdkwuQ pic.twitter.com/2pbmU2l94a
— Tusla - Child and Family Agency (@tusla) May 21, 2021

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Ministers have met again on Saturday afternoon to review progress in our response to last week's cyber-attack on the HSE and to co-ordinate ongoing actions across Government.

Eamon Ryan, Stephen Donnelly, Heather Humphreys and Ossian Smyth, have been meeting daily to monitor and steer the Government's response.

They were updated on the "good" progress made with the restoration of HSE and hospital IT systems essential to the restoration of care for patients.

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