Welcome to the Tech Mem Ride Home for Friday, May 14th, 2021. I'm Brian McCullough today.

A Ransomware Attack has brought down large sections of the Irish Health Service.

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I.S.P. Hell and of course the weekend long read suggestions. Here's what you

miss today in the world of tech. Well I guess this sort of thing is just the new normal now.

The Irish Health Service has shut down its IT systems after a, quote, significant ransomware attack that is having a severe

impact on health and social care services quoting the BBC. Speaking on

broadcaster RTE Oceian Smith said the attack, quote,

goes right to the core of the health system.

However, he also said that it was, quote, not espionage.

The health service has temporarily shut down its IT system to protect it after the attack.

Mr Smith, who is Minister for Public Procurement and E-government, said it was an international attack.

He added, quote, these are cyber criminal gangs looking for money.

What they're attempting to do is to encrypt and lock away our data and then to try to ransom it back to us for money,

end quote. The health service executive said it had taken the precaution of

closing down its systems to further protect them and assess the situation.

Mr Smith said the Irish government is deploying everything in its response. It's

widespread. It is very significant and possibly the most significant cyber crime

attack on the Irish state. It's a criminal investigation so the Garda National Cybercrime Bureau is involved,

and also we have brought in world-class cyber security company for assistance."

End quote.

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