HACKERS BLOCK ITALY’S COVID-19 VACCINATION WEBSITE

An Italian regional health department’s IT system has been attacked and blocked. The system is used to make bookings for Covid-19 vaccinations in one of the country’s most populous regions. The region is home to the capital Rome.

An investigation has been opened as unknown perpetrators attacked the IT system on Sunday. According to a statement released by the regional health department, the attack is likely still ongoing.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Lazio regional health councillor Alessio D’Amato called the attack “the most serious cyber-attack ever carried out on an Italian public administration”, reports CNN. Local authorities said they have received a generic ransom request but with no further claims.

D’Amato continued by saying that the technicians are working to safely reactivate the new bookings and no data has been stolen.

Officials have assured local residents that all vaccination bookings made up until 13 August will still be able to continue.

CNN further reports that investigators, who haven’t been able to identify the attackers, say that sensitive health data, including that belonging to President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Mario Draghi, has not been breached by the hackers.

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