WASHINGTON (AP) – FBI thwarted planned cyberattack on a children hospital in Boston, which was supposed to be relocated out Iranian-sponsored government FBI director Christopher Wray Wednesday said.
Ray told a Boston College cybersecurity conference what his agents learned of planned digital attack from an unidentified intelligence partner and received the Boston Children’s Hospital information it was necessary last summer to block what would be”one of the most heinous cyberattacks I’ve ever seen.”
“And the quick action of all involved, especially in the hospital, protected both network and sick children who depends on this,” Ray said.
This joke was told by the head of the FBI. in broader speech about current cyber threats from Russia, China and Iran and need for US partnerships government and private sector.
He said bureau and Boston Children’s Hospital worked closely together after a hacktivist attack on the hospital. computer network in 2014. Martin Gottesfeld organized a cyber attack on the hospital in protest against leaving of teenager in the middle of loud guardianship battle and was later sentenced to 10 years in prison. attack against hospital and treatment home cost tens objects of thousands of dollars and disruption of operations for days.
“Children’s and our Boston office already knew each other well before attack from Iran – and what made difference,” Ray said.
He did not attribute any particular motive to the planned attack on hospital, but he noted that Iran and others countries hired cyber mercenaries to carry out attacks on their name.
When it comes to Russia, he said, the FBI is “rushing” to warn potential targets of the preparatory steps that hackers are taking for destructive attacks. In March, for For example, the FBI warned that there is an increased interest from hackers in energy companies since start of Russian war against Ukraine.
Meanwhile, hackers from China stolen more Americans have more corporate and personal data than all other nations combined of wider geopolitical goal “lie, cheat and steal,” Ray said.
Speech took place as the FBI continues combat ransomware attacks from criminal gangs, constant problem for U.S. officials, despite the absence of crippling invasions in recent months.
Ray pointed out need for private companies for work with FBI to thwart ransomware gangs and nation-state hackers, adding that building these relationships are key to success.
“What these partnerships enable us doing so hit our opponents at every turn – from the networks of victims, back all way on the hackers’ own computers,” Ray said.
The FBI and other federal agencies are working to reassure hack victims that this is in them best interest in intrusion and cybercrime reports. Many companies attacked by ransomware gangs often do not contact the FBI for diversity of the reasons.
US Senator Rob PortmanOhio Republican and senior member of The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs released a report earlier. year critical of FBI response to some ransomware victims. In two cases, the FBI “has prioritized its investigative and prosecutorial efforts to disrupt the operations of the perpetrators.” over victims need to protect data and reduce damage,” the report says.
One unnamed Fortune 500 company told committee officials that the FBI offered no “helpful assistance” in responding to the ransomware. attack.
“For example, the FBI offered a hostage negotiator who had little experience in in response to ransomware attacks,” the report says.
Ray, however, touted the FBI’s ability to send a technically trained agent to any company that was hit. in hour – “and we use it’s a lot.”
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Suderman reported from Richmond, Virginia.
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Follow Eric Tucker on Twitter in http://www.twitter.com/etuckerAP.
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