A ransomware attack recently targeted the Department of Health Services in Yap, one of the four states in Micronesia, on March 11, 2025. The attack forced the health department to take its entire network offline to prevent further damage, leaving 12,000 residents without internet connectivity. All computers were shut down, and digital health systems, including email communication, were also affected. The department issued a statement through social media, reassuring the public that services would continue but at a slower pace due to the disruptions caused by the cyberattack.
In response to the attack, the Department of Health Services is working with private IT contractors, along with other government agencies, to address the issue.
The primary focus is to assess the extent of the breach, determine what data may have been compromised, and restore services as quickly as possible. Despite the ongoing disruptions, the department has reassured the public that essential services are still being provided, but residents are advised to expect delays and slower operations than usual.
Micronesia, with a population of over 100,000 people spread across four states—Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, and Kosrae—is particularly vulnerable to such cyberattacks due to its geographic isolation and limited resources. Yap, located north of Palau and south of Guam, has now become another target in the region. Both Palau and Guam have experienced similar cyberattacks recently, including ransomware incidents that affected government services, especially their health ministries. This shows a growing trend in the region, where smaller governments, like those in the Pacific islands, are increasingly targeted by cybercriminals.
While no hacking group has claimed responsibility for the ransomware attack in Yap, it underscores the rising threat to smaller, less-resourced governments worldwide.
Countries and regions such as Vanuatu, Tonga, and the Philippines have already been impacted by similar attacks. These incidents highlight the vulnerabilities of smaller governments, which often lack the resources and infrastructure to defend their sprawling networks from sophisticated cyber threats. The growing number of ransomware attacks in the Pacific region is a clear indication of how cybercriminals are increasingly focusing on targets that are harder to defend.
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