Synlab Italia, a subsidiary of the global Synlab group, has temporarily halted its medical diagnostic and testing services due to a ransomware attack.
Synlab Ransomware Attack Forced the Company to Shut Down IT Systems
The attack, which occurred on April 18, prompted the company to shut down its IT systems as a precautionary measure.
“As soon as they became aware, the IT department proceeded to exclude the entire corporate infrastructure from the network and to shut down all the machines in compliance with the company’s IT security procedures,”
Reads the announcement.
While Synlab Italia has not yet confirmed the specific details, there is a possibility that sensitive medical data may have been compromised during the ransomware attack.
“As Data Processor pursuant to art. 28 GDPR, we inform you that to date, we cannot exclude that this attack may concern the personal data referred to in the services provided to you and under your ownership of the treatment
Synlab Italia
In light of the recent incident, Synlab Italia has temporarily suspended all laboratory analysis and sample collection services until further notice. To communicate with Synlab, customers are advised to use phone services as email communication remains inactive.
Regarding medical samples that were already received by Synlab prior to the cyberattack but had not yet been analyzed, they are being stored in appropriate low-temperature conditions as per the necessary requirements.
However, depending on the duration of the system restoration process, customers may need to submit new samples.
Over the weekend, Synlab provided an update stating that certain services, such as specialist outpatient visits and physiotherapy, are gradually being reactivated.
Currently, Synlab Italia is actively working to eradicate the malware from its IT infrastructure and restore systems using available backups.
This effort aims to ensure that the company’s IT environment is free from any lingering malware and to resume normal operations as soon as possible.
“In these hours, the SYNLAB task force is being analyzed for every single portion of the IT infrastructure, including backup systems, in order to restore the systems safely as soon as possible,”
Reads updated status.
At the moment, Synlab Italia has not provided a specific timeline for the recovery process. Customers are advised to visit the company’s website or follow its social media channels for the latest updates regarding the restoration of services.
As of now, no prominent ransomware groups have claimed responsibility for the cyberattack on Synlab Italia. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
