Source: Radio New Zealand
Unsplash / RNZ
Private healthcare provider IntraCare has been affected by a cyber breach, with its IT systems now offline and 28 patients’ surgeries deferred.
The company, which specialises in “image-guided precision medical diagnostics and interventions”, said it became aware of the breach on Friday, March 20, and immediately shut down its IT systems.
The company said it had deferred 28 patient procedures, but due to the complexity and nature of the incident, it would take some time to ascertain whether individual patient records had been affected.
It had also been unable to contact all patients directly as its database containing their contact details had been shut down.
Information about how many patients were on its book was commercially sensitive, a spokesperson said. But according to its website, the company treated more than 2000 patients each year.
It said independent Australasian cybersecurity experts, CyberCX, had been tasked with a forensic investigation, and the company was being supported by an all-of-government group of experts and IT professionals.
It was also working closely with Health NZ, the National Cyber Security Centre and the police, and was in regular contact with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner.
“Our investigation remains ongoing as we work at pace to determine the full extent of the incident. At this stage, we are not in a position to confirm what information, if any, may or may not have been impacted.”
With systems offline, there might be delays in appointments or scheduling, it said.
It was “taking all possible steps to prevent any misuse of information,” and “communicating openly and transparently as more information becomes available”.
“We sincerely apologise that this incident has occurred and for any concern it may cause.”
Health NZ chief information technology officer Darren Douglass said the health agency was aware of the incident.
He confirmed they had a Cyber Security Incident Management Team in contact with IntraCare “to offer support”.
It directed any further queries to Intracare.
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
