NHS Hit by Major Ransomware Attack, Patient Data Leaked
The NHS is grappling with a major ransomware attack, with hackers publishing sensitive patient data after a failed £40 million Bitcoin ransom demand. The breach, which occurred at Synnovis, a pathology service provider, has caused widespread disruption and raised serious concerns about patient confidentiality.
The attack, attributed to the Russian group Qilin, has affected numerous hospitals in South London and clinics throughout the city. Over a thousand surgeries and consultations were canceled, and thousands of patients will need to be retested due to the lack of backups for compromised test results. The NHS is currently verifying the authenticity of the leaked data, which includes birthdates, blood test results, and sensitive information about HIV and cancer patients. This process could take weeks.
The Qilin group operates using the 'Ransomware-as-a-Service' model, providing malware and infrastructure to other hackers in exchange for a share of the ransom proceeds. This attack is not an isolated incident. In February 2023, the USA witnessed a severe attack on Change Healthcare, disrupting billing systems and causing significant financial losses. In June 2025, London's airports, including Heathrow, were targeted in a ransomware attack linked to a criminal group involved in similar operations. Healthcare providers are attractive targets due to outdated infrastructure and the potential for high ransoms.
The NHS is working to mitigate the impact of this attack, but the consequences for patients and the healthcare system are significant. The breach underscores the urgent need for robust cybersecurity measures in the healthcare sector. As the NHS continues to investigate and respond to this incident, patients and healthcare providers alike are left grappling with the fallout.
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