Regrettably, hackers going by the name of ‘Rhysida’ have threatened to divulge private medical records belonging to members of the British elite.
Radiographs, letters from consultants, clinical notes, and pathology reports are all potentially compromised files. The criminals have held these private documents hostage and are demanding $380,000 (£300,000) in bitcoin as ransom to release them.
Using the dark web to offer the stolen data from the Royal Family for sale, the ‘Rhysida’ gang—named after a species of poisonous centipede—made their ransom demand. Tuesday is the designated due date for the ten bitcoins. A healthcare institution with a history of over a century servicing the Royal Family, the compromised information originated from London’s King Edward VII’s Hospital. Notable patients include Prince Philip in 2021, Kate, Princess of Wales in 2012, and Queen Elizabeth II.
The issue is being investigated by GCHQ, the UK’s intelligence, security, and cyber agency. King Edward VII’s Hospital is actively working with GCHQ to determine the extent of the breach’s damage. Given the delicate nature of the data and the possible repercussions of its public disclosure, though, there is rising worry that the ransom might be paid.
The hospital is probably thinking about paying the ransom to keep very sensitive patient information from getting out, according to former British colonel Philip Ingram. Nevertheless, he highlighted the dangers by saying that there’s no assurance the data will be recovered and that it may be sold to other criminal organizations.
While the Princess of Wales was receiving treatment for morning sickness at the same hospital in 2012, a security breach occurred, which is reminiscent of this current worrying situation. The public was outraged, the hospital apologized, and the unfortunate nurse who was deceived tragically passed away when Australian radio DJs obtained and released private medical information.
The present danger highlights the ongoing difficulties hospitals encounter in protecting sensitive patient information and the possible extensive effects of such breaches.
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