Malware, Patch/Configuration Management, Ransomware, Vulnerability Management

WannaCry patches mistakenly knock Aussie hospitals offline

In a case of no good deed goes unpunished, five Australian hospitals accidently locked out staff access to the computer systems after installing patches designed to protect them from WannaCry ransomware.

The Australian  reported that after word that the WannaCry/WanaCrypt0r ransomware attacks were knocking UK hospitals offline five Australian health facilities in Queensland took a proactive approach and began patching their systems. Instead the patches were not installed properly and while the patches did make them safe from cyberattack, they also locked out staff from the network.

A situation that has not yet been rectified.

This canceled or delayed thousands of scheduled appointments and procedures.

Queensland's Health Minister Cameron Dick said, according to The Register, there has been no loss of patient records nor have any been compromised. He noted the patches were supplied by Microsoft, Citrix, and practice management specialist Cerner

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