Fix NHS gaps or face more attacks - ex cyber chief

A leading cybersecurity expert has warned that the NHS remains vulnerable to further cyber-attacks unless it updates its computer systems.

This stark assessment comes in the wake of a major ransomware attack that has severely disrupted healthcare services across London.

Prof Ciaran Martin, the founding CEO of the UK's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), told the BBC: "I was horrified, but not completely surprised. Ransomware attacks on healthcare are a major global problem."

NHS England said it was increasing its cybersecurity resilience and had invested £338m in the past seven years addressing this issue.

But Prof Martin's warnings suggest more urgent action may be needed.

He highlighted three critical issues facing NHS cybersecurity: outdated IT systems, the need to identify vulnerable points, and the importance of basic security practices.

He warned: "In parts of the NHS estate, it's quite clear that some of the IT is out of date."

He stressed the importance of identifying "single points of failure" in the system and implementing better backups.

Prof Martin also emphasised that improving basic security measures could significantly hinder attackers, stating: "Those little things make the point of entry quite a lot harder for the thugs to get in."

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Source: BBC News, 8 July 2024