The government is considering striking back against Russian hackers who have stolen records covering 300m patient interactions with the NHS, including the results of blood tests for HIV and cancer, the Guardian can reveal.
The National Crime Agency (NCA) is weighing up the possibility of taking retaliatory action against Qilin, the Russian-based ransomware gang that put into the public domain early yesterday a huge tranche of highly sensitive NHS records they stole in a cyber attack on 3 June.
The records cover 300m patient interactions including the results of blood tests for HIV and cancer, the Guardian understands.
Health service bosses in London, where the hack was focused, have responded to widespread alarm by setting up a helpline to answerqueries .
This story is from the June 22, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
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This story is from the June 22, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
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