The Ministry of Health of Tonga, an island nation in the South Pacific, has fallen victim to a ransomware attack that has crippled its National Health Information System. The attack was discovered on June 15 when the website of the Ministry of Health went down. It was soon revealed to be a ransomware attack that has since been claimed by INC Ransom.
The ransomware group has demanded a ransom of $1 million which the country has refused to pay. As a result, the digital healthcare platform is currently not working. The National Health Information System was introduced in 2019 to replace paper records. As a result, several medical institutions currently do not have access to some patient data.
The group is demanding a ransom of $1 million, but the country refuses to pay. As a result, the digital healthcare platform is currently not working. This system was introduced in 2019 to replace paper records. As a result, several medical institutions currently do not have access to medical records.
Tonga’s health ministry is currently investigating the exact impact and scale of the “cyber intrusion” and whether confidential data has been stolen. It is supported by Australian cybersecurity experts who have been dispatched to the island nation.
In recent years hackers are increasingly attacking the vulnerable computer systems in Pacific island nations. In 2022, government services in Vanuatu were paralyzed by a cyberattack. Fiji, Samoa and Palau have also been targeted by hackers.
