Kuwait’s Health Ministry is currently in the recovery phase following a cyberattack that significantly disrupted operations across several hospitals and rendered the Sahel healthcare app inoperable. The attack occurred recently, prompting immediate action from officials to assess the extent of the damage. As of Thursday afternoon, the Ministry of Health’s website remains offline, but the agency has communicated its efforts through the Kuwait News Agency, providing updates on the situation.
To mitigate the effects of the attack, the government has employed backup systems to restore operations at critical facilities, including the Kuwait Cancer Control Center and the offices responsible for managing the national health insurance system. Despite the challenges posed by the cyber intrusion, officials have reassured the public that essential healthcare services continue to function at primary healthcare centers and public hospitals, thereby maintaining a level of operational integrity during this crisis.
Investigations into the cyberattack have revealed how hackers infiltrated the Ministry’s systems. In response, the Health Ministry is collaborating with competent government security agencies to contain the incident and prevent its spread to other systems. Efforts to reinforce and update security protocols are underway, emphasizing a commitment to combat future breaches effectively. Officials indicated that while the hackers attempted to access essential databases, their efforts were thwarted, allowing the ministry to maintain vital data security.
Although a definitive timeline for the complete restoration of systems has not been disclosed, officials expressed optimism that full functionality would be reinstated soon. Notably, no ransomware group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack. This incident comes on the heels of a year marked by rising cyber threats, including a previous ransomware attack on Kuwait’s Ministry of Finance by the Rhysida gang. The alarming trend highlights the increasing prevalence of cyber incidents, underscoring the need for robust cybersecurity measures in critical sectors.
Reference:
