Ransomware Attack Disrupts New York Blood Center Operations Amid Critical Shortage

BREAKING NEWS: Ransomware Attack Disrupts New York Blood Center Operations Amid Critical Shortage
October 26, 2023 | New York, NY

A ransomware attack has crippled critical systems at the New York Blood Center Services (NYBC), one of the nation’s largest nonprofit blood providers, forcing temporary closures of donation centers and turning away donors during a nationwide blood shortage. The cyberattack, detected early Thursday, has sparked urgent concerns about the stability of regional blood supplies ahead of the holiday season.

Key Details:

• The NYBC confirmed the attack in a statement Thursday afternoon, revealing that hackers encrypted parts of its IT infrastructure, disrupting appointment scheduling, donor processing, and inventory management systems.
• At least six donation centers in New York and New Jersey were forced to halt operations, with staff reverting to manual record-keeping. Walk-in donors were turned away in multiple locations.
• “We are working around the clock with cybersecurity experts to resolve this issue and restore services safely,” said NYBC spokesperson Laura Hernandez. “Patient care remains our top priority, but we urge the public to remain patient as we navigate this unprecedented challenge.”
• The FBI and third-party cybersecurity firms are investigating the breach. Officials have not yet identified the responsible group or confirmed whether ransom demands were made.

Impact on Blood Supply:
The attack comes amid a national blood shortage declared last month by the American Red Cross, with supplies of critical blood types dipping to emergency levels. The NYBC, which provides blood to over 200 hospitals across the Northeast, had already issued urgent appeals for donors prior to the cyberattack.

Local hospitals have been advised to implement contingency plans, though NYBC assures existing blood reserves are being distributed “strategically” to prioritize trauma cases and cancer patients.

Response and Recovery Efforts:
New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s office released a statement calling the attack “a stark reminder of vulnerabilities in our essential healthcare infrastructure.” State cybersecurity teams are assisting with the investigation.

Meanwhile, the NYBC has set up a temporary hotline for donors to check appointment availability and urges eligible individuals to monitor its social media channels for updates. Officials stress that donor data, including personal and medical information, appears unaffected.

What’s Next:
Cybersecurity experts warn that healthcare organizations remain prime targets for ransomware gangs, with attacks on medical facilities rising by 45% globally in 2023. The NYBC has not provided a timeline for full system restoration but says partial operations could resume within 48 hours.

For now, the incident underscores the fragility of blood supply chains in an era of escalating cyber threats—and leaves thousands of potential donors in limbo during a crisis that shows no sign of abating.

This is a developing story. Updates will follow as more information becomes available.
For more information on blood donation eligibility and locations, visit nybloodcenter.org. Source:

The Register