Cyberattack on the National Health Laboratory Service of South Africa – implications, response and recommendations

Cybersecurity is now an integral consideration in the management of healthcare institutions in this modern technological era. Cyberattacks primarily targeting healthcare institutions have increased exponentially. Recently, the information technology systems of the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) of South Africa (SA) were targeted by cyberterrorists using disruptive ransomware. As a result, all files on the affected computers and servers became inaccessible, thus affecting all NHLS operations. We share our experience of this cyberattack from the department of haematological pathology at Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, SA. We outline the negative impact on the NHLS and the immediate response, and make future recommendations, including a draft of a business continuity plan.