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'We don't pay ransom': Waikato DHB boss lashes cyber attackers

Author
NZ Herald ,
Publish Date
Sat, 22 May 2021, 1:43PM

'We don't pay ransom': Waikato DHB boss lashes cyber attackers

Author
NZ Herald ,
Publish Date
Sat, 22 May 2021, 1:43PM

"We don't pay ransom" - that's the message from the Waikato District Health's Board chief executive Dr Kevin Snee as the organisation braces for ongoing issues before regaining control of its computer systems.

Snee said there was no clear timeframe before it was able to regain control of computer networks hit by a sophisticated cyber-attack.

He said the DHB was managing to achieve 80 per cent of elective surgeries but asked people coming to services across the region to call ahead before turning up for appointments.

However, he said that those calling should expect longer than usual waiting times with phone lines clogged.

"It's certainly more serious than I first understood. We now have a good understanding of it."

"It's difficult to be certain when we will have things back up and running."

Snee was speaking at a Saturday afternoon press conference updating the public after days of uncertainty following the cyber-attack which he had previously called the largest in New Zealand's history.

The update comes four days after the DHB's entire information technologies system - including phones and computers - were brought down in a cyber security attack.

Waikato, Thames, Tokoroa, Te KÅ«iti and Taumarunui hospitals were all caught up as a result.

Snee said yesterday experts working to fix the problem had let on that it was more complicated than first thought.

"We are dealing in uncharted territory here."

He said patients were being transferred to outlying areas which were providing support to the DHB.

Snee said there all public agencies in New Zealand needed good systems to protect against such attacks.

"We need to learn the lessons from this."

The DHB is working with its information services team and experts across government and private providers.

"Contingency plans for all services are in place and will extend into the coming week."

Of 111 elective surgeries that were planned at Waikato Hospital on Thursday, a total of 88 were able to go on as scheduled, the DHB said.

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